Mary Elva Schoen

Was called home by our Heavenly Father on March 9, 2015.

She was born August 30, 1936 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of John F. and Bernice (Featherstone) DeMuth.

On March 12, 2014 Mary learned she had bladder cancer. Surgery was performed and Mary began her courageous battle of this last year. Her strength during her journey was amazing as she fought valiantly until the end.

Mary graduated from Edison High School. Following graduation, Mary worked at Prudential Life Insurance Company. On October 8th, 1955, Mary married her high school sweetheart, Jerald J. Schoen and they settled in Minneapolis. By 1967, Mary and Jerry were blessed with five children, with a sixth on the way, necessitating a move to New Hope. There they raised their six children until retirement. Mary was a dedicated, proud, selfless mother. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joys of her life. She was incredibility proud of each and every one of them.

In 1988, Mary and Jerry began to winter in Arizona, where they would golf and spend time with their oldest daughter and granddaughter. Mary continued this tradition until her passing. She participated in golf leagues both in Minnesota and Arizona. Mary maintained lifelong friendships with her high school girlfriends (The Magnificent Seven) often traveling with them. She loved traveling to new exciting places throughout the world and did so yearly prior to her diagnosis. Mary was independent and active, playing cards and lunching with her many friends right up until the end. She loved to dance and spoke of wanting to dance during her final days. She valued the friendships established during her lifetime and recently remarked "how lucky she was to have such special friends."

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by Jerry (husband), Faye (sister), Ellen and Ed (in-laws), Tom and Donald (brothers-in-law). Mary is survived by her children, Kathy (Mark), Karen, Wendy, Paul (Barb), Steve (Shelly) and Chris; twelve grandchildren and four great-grand-children; brother, Dennis (Jean) and many nieces and nephews.

Mary's life will be celebrated on Friday, March 13, 2015 at Saint Alphonsus Church located at 7025 Halifax Avenue North, Brooklyn Center. Visitation 9:30 - 11:00 AM, with service to follow. Private Burial. Memorials preferred to American Cancer Society or Friendship Ventures