Mary Agnes (Otter) Schamberger, 92, passed away, Sunday, February 7, 2021, at the Sheridan County Long Term Care surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in New Almelo, Kansas on June 21, 1928, the oldest
child of Albert and Sophia (Bruggeman) Otter. Mary grew up on the farm
with her eight siblings and attending New Almelo School through eighth
grade. Mary worked for families in the area by helping them take care
of the children and helping with housework. She also worked in the New
Almelo Grocery Store. A young man, Michael “Mike” Schamberger, moved
back to the area, and an Aunt and cousin set Mike up with a lovely young
lady, Mary Otter. That blind date turned into a life-long love story.
Mike and Mary were married in New Almelo, Kansas on September 14, 1954.
They made their first home northeast of Hoxie, and in 1957, a neighbor
came and asked Mike and Mary if they would like to buy his farm. They
bought the farm where they raised their family of six children and
farmed until moving to the town of Hoxie.
Mary was a homemaker caring for her family. She always had a big
garden and raised chickens. She canned the produce from the garden,
butchered the chickens and used the eggs to make sure there was always
plenty of good food to feed her family. She was a great cook. She
cooked every meal until entering the Long Term Care. During harvest,
she prepared big meals for her family working in the fields, something
they will always remember. Mary was a great seamstress and made many of
her children’s clothes. She crocheted afghans and made quilts for her
grandchildren. She was a member of the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic
Church and St. Frances Cabrini Sodality. She was very involved with
church and taught religion for many years. Mary was a good mother who
loved her children and grandchildren with all her heart. Family was the
most important to her.
Mary is survived by sons Ray and wife DeeAnn, Ron and wife Sharon,
John and wife Gina, and Gerry all of Hoxie; daughters, Jeanne Shipley
and husband Rick of Hoxie and Joan Schippers and husband Charlie of
Hays; brothers, Conrad Otter of McPherson, Kansas, Alfred Otter and wife
Betty of New Almelo, Kansas, Harold Otter of Flagstaff, Arizona; Fran
and wife, Phyllis Otter of Hays, Kansas, and sister Jan Richards and
husband, Steve of Sandia Park, New Mexico; sisters-in-law, Carol Otter
of Norton, Kansas, and Julia Otter of Hays, Kansas; grandchildren,
Meghann Gourley (Brendon), Arielle Simpson (Jed), Michael Schamberger
(Kaitlyn), Nicole Tremblay(Bret), Leslea Oelke (Brett), Brittany
Eggleston (Marcus), Taylore Schamberger, Jessica Mishler (Beau), Russell
Shipley (Dana), Ryan Shipley (Shanna), Richelle Baldwin (Jake), Kayla
Wilhelm (Kellen), Jenna Goldsby (Scott), Brad Schippers, Clayton
Schamberger (Marissa), Courtney Schamberger, and Cami Schamberger; and
32 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Mike; her parents, Albert
and Sophia Otter; brothers, Gil Otter, Gerard Otter, and Roger Otter;
sister, Ursula Otter; and sister-in-law Charlotte Otter.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, February 12, 2021,
10:30 AM, at the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Hoxie, Kansas.
Interment will take place following the service in the St. Frances
Cabrini Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, February
11, 2021 from 1:00 PM until 7:00 PM with the Vigil and Rosary Service
starting at 7:00 PM all at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, Hoxie,
Kansas. Family will greet friends from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM.
Memorials are suggested to the Sheridan County Health Complex LTC or St.
Frances Cabrini Catholic Church and may be sent in care of
Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. The
service will be livestreamed. Please go to the mickeyleopoldfuneral.com
webpage for the link. Words of condolence and comfort for the family
may be left on the webpage.