Mary Jane Schueth

Mary Jane Schueth, the smart, charismatic, sassy, beloved "mama" of so many, farm girl turned singer of opera and Ave Maria, and lover of ALL things pink, passed away in her Colorado residence on Monday, May 20. She was 83.

Mary Jane Schueth was born at St. Clara's Hospital in Lincoln, IL on July 9, 1940, the middle daughter to Lester Wilmert and Mary Margaret (Miller) Klemm. She was raised on her parents' beloved farmland in that central Illinois community. Janie attended St. Patrick's Grade School, Lincoln Community High School and graduated from Clarke University in Dubuque, IA with a Bachelors of Vocal Music. She taught at Central School in Lincoln, for two years and then moved to Urbana, IL where she taught in the Gifted Program at Yankee Ridge Elementary for five years. 

It was there in Champaign-Urbana that after a blind date with Phillip Herman Schueth, her parents said she told them I've met the man I'm going to marry. Four years later at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lincoln she married Phil on August 23, 1969. She never did get to sing at Carnegie Hall as a trained opera singer as she was asked due to that handsome man. She "retired" from teaching to become a homemaker and stay-at-home mom. Stephen Phillip Schueth (Little Rock, AR) was born after Phil was relocated to the Chicago area for the Illinois Central Gulf (ICG) railroad. Gail Elizabeth Schueth (Basalt, CO) was born in Jackson, MS as the ICG moved them to the south - a first for Janie. This is where she changed from "Janie" to "Mary Jane" because all Southern ladies go by two names!

Phil was then offered a job that appealed to them both - a job in the small-town community of Crossett, AR - a place to raise their growing family. Here she thrived at being a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. She loved to cook for and entertain all those lucky enough to be in her circle - from Junior Auxiliary members, Phil's bosses, bridge nights, priests, the Holy Cross Church Ladies Group, Liverpool rummy lunches, to anyone who needed a Thanksgiving dinner. 

Mary Katherine (Katie) Drafts (Lakewood, CO) and Daniel Lester Schueth (Kansas City, MO) were added to the family here. With the growing family, she purchased Delilah, her infamous Chevrolet Caprice Classic station wagon. "Mama Schueth" drove her kids (any many, many, many friends) to school, sporting events, band practices, field trips, club activities, scouts, dance practice, cheerleading, shopping trips, etc. She took her "stay-at-home mom" job seriously providing generous but tough love.

Her flare for the dramatic lead her to the Crossett Little Theater at the Hurd Playhouse in the 70s and 80s where she had leading roles in "The Sound of Music", "Gypsy", "Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum", and "Annie" where she starred with her two daughters.

A devout Catholic, Mary Jane was the organist and soloist at Holy Cross Catholic Church for over 40 years. Her beautiful voice had found its home! Ave Maria at Christmas Eve mass was a staple (oh, how we wish we had a recording of her singing that powerful song!). She also served on both the Parish and Catholic Women's Councils. Her spaghetti casserole was always the first to disappear at the potluck dinners, and her infamous Strawberry Rhubarb Pie was always high demand at the Ladies Bake Sale!

She served as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer in the Crossett Junior Auxiliary, and was a member for over 30 years of the Crossett Book Club.

Mary Jane prayed to Tony (St Anthony) to help her find close parking spots. She decorated five ornate Christmas trees at the holidays, of course one was always pink! She traveled on Tauck tours to fabulous destinations with her sister and friends. Shopping at Kohls and Walmart, dining at Cracker Barrel, and buying teacups and all things knicky noos made her happy! Her sweet tooth led her Strawberry Daiquiris, ice cream and turtles. She was great at bowling and roller skating...just ask her. She was the "best" backseat driver.

She relocated to an assisted living and memory care in Colorado for the last years of her life.
Her caregivers talked of her smile, kindness and sassiness until the end. Her final earthly days were filled with chocolate ice cream and even a strawberry daiquiri (virgin, of course.)

The blessing she left us is kindness - what better legacy to her community, family and friends to carry this on, I encourage you to smile at a stranger in your church. Make a casserole or pie for a neighbor. Offer to pick up your friend's kids from practice. Bake chocolate chip cookies with your kids.

Mrs. Schueth is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Phillip, and sisters Rita Anne Klemm and Mona Clare Klemm Bismark. She is survived by Stephen, Gail, Katie (John), and Dan, and also by four grandchildren: Paul T. McDuffee, Laurin E. Nouri, Eliza J. Drafts and Hayden D. Drafts; brother-in-law Wayne L. Bismark; nephew Andrew W. Bismark (Florencia), great-nephew Sebastian, and great-niece Lucia (San Diego, CA). She is also survived by best friend Pam Clay and goddaughter Emily Rose Clay, and the most wonderful, supportive neighbors Dickie and Bonnie Gulledge.

Celebration of Life at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2400 South Main Street, Crossett, AR 71635, Saturday, August 17, 2024. Mass will be at 2:00, followed by a "pink" celebration in the hall from 3:00-5:00. Burial will be in Lincoln, IL at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery on September 28.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital http://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/maryjaneschueth