Mary Schwabe, age 86, of Carroll, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll, surrounded by her beloved family.
A private family funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with Fr. Patrick Behm officiating. Casket Bearers will be Michael Schwabe, Ryan Schwabe, Adam Klocke, Kyler Riesberg, Bryan Smouse, and Jordan Janson. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home and online condolences may be left for Mary’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Mary was born on September 8, 1936 in Carroll, Iowa to John and Alma (Frommelt) Heithoff. Mary spent her childhood in Carroll, Iowa and graduated from St. Angela’s Academy. In 1956, she married James Schwabe to whom five beautiful children were born.
Mary spent her lifetime caring for her family and working in various jobs; G.E., Northwestern Bell, Kwik Stop, and the Carroll Apothecary. Her greatest joy was raising her children and watching her grandchildren grow up. Her hands were never still; from raising her children, spoiling her grandchildren, sewing endless amounts of clothing, Christmas Eve gatherings around the record player, playing pass the ace, making the best potato salad, kitchen table talks with whomever walked through her door, nightly Wheel of Fortune viewing, and watching her beloved Chicago Cubs; her hands were always full, but her heart was much fuller.
Her legacy that she leaves behind to her family is that “It’s the little things that make life BIG.” It was all the little things that Mary did every day that made her family feel so loved and valued. She was so full of love, patience, life lessons, and understanding; she was a blessing to all whom she encountered.
Mary is survived by her five children and their families; Dan Schwabe (Jane) of St. Joseph, MO, Dean Schwabe (Carol) of Carroll, Lisa Hanke (Scott) of Carroll, Lori Klocke (Terry) and Lynn Riesberg (John) of Carroll; fifteen grandchildren: Becky Smouse (Bryan) of Shawnee, KS, Lindsey Baumeister (Cody) of Carroll, Cori Schwabe (Ian) of Edinburgh, UK, Michael Schwabe (Ali) of Omaha, NE, Jennie Schwabe of St. Joseph, MO, Katie Schwabe of St. Joseph, MO, Ryan Schwabe (Angie) of Dakota Dunes, SD, Renee Brincks (Kyle) of Carroll, IA, Jessica Janson (Jordan) of Carroll, IA, Brooke Bierl (Colin) of Carroll, IA, Paige Grossman (Tyler) of Dedham, IA, Adam Klocke (Nikki) of Halbur, IA, Haley Drees (Greg) of Scranton, IA, Kyler Riesberg (Leah) of Carroll, IA, and Rylie Riesberg of Carroll, IA; twenty-nine great grandchildren: Codel, Owen, Calie, Harper, Taylor, Jack, Olivia, Kyra, Ella, Jada, Jedd, Caden, Crue, Emerson, Ensley, Jace, Breya, Barrett, Blakelyn, Remington, Everleigh, Easton, Skylar, Shaylar, Carson, Andrew, Lily, Kyson, Lainey, and one on the way; two brothers: Howard Heithoff and Wayne Heithoff.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents: John and Alma Heithoff; siblings: Vernon Heithoff, Robert Heithoff, Floyd Heithoff, Florence Heithoff, and great-grandson Ryder Grossman.
We wish to express our gratitude to the staff at St. Anthony Hospital, St. Anthony Nursing Home, and St. Anthony Hospice, you were all such a blessing to her. The family of Mary Schwabe.
