Marie Schlegel

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Marie A. Schlegel, age 84, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday February 1, 2021, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Marie was born on January 8,1937 in Wichita, KS., the daughter of the late Marinus “Babe” and Mary (Van't Zelfde) Meyer. She graduated from Clearwater High School in Clearwater, KS a member of the “class of 1954”. 

On May 1, 1955 she married her high school sweetheart and lifelong love, Jerome “Jerry” Y. Schlegel. They were blessed with two sons.

Over a forty-year period Marie and Jerry owned and operated several hotels in both Kansas and Arkansas. Marie was the spark of the business knowing most of her customers by name and treating them like family. Marie was very much a people person at heart. She had been a longtime active member of Fellowship Baptist Church. 

For years she helped there in Awana and other children’s ministries. In her early married life, she played both the piano and organ, and taught a girls Sunday school class at Glennville Bible Baptist Church in Wichita, KS. Her spiritual passion was to tell children how much Jesus loved them and the salvation work that He accomplished for them on the cross. 

She was a member of the Soroptimist International of Joplin and enjoyed their annual nut drive supporting the children's camps that they sponsored. Her hobbies over the years included painting pictures, knitting, bird watching and tending to her plants. She had a flair for fashion and a great sense of humor. 

Apart from the Lord, Marie’s greatest love was for her family. She rarely missed any basketball, soccer, or volleyball games. She was always there to help her family with any need. Loving on her children, grand-children and two great grand-children was a never-ending pleasure for her. She had help in all of this from her best friend, teammate and husband Jerry, whom she loved with all of her heart.

She is survived by her husband of sixty-five years, Jerry Schlegel, Joplin; two sons, Jed Schlegel and wife Stephanie, Joplin, and Phil Schlegel and wife Kim, Joplin; her sister Nelda Jean Koster and husband Roger, Argonia, KS; three grand-children, Sierra Longobardo and husband Tim, Logan Schlegel and wife Amanda, and Connor Schlegel; and two great grand-children, Shea and Marin Longobardo.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. this Friday at Fellowship Baptist Church. Pastor Rob Signs and Randy Corp will officiate. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

Memorial contributions may be given to Fellowship Baptist Church in care of the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory.