Mary Schnick

Mary G. (Dannholz) Schnick, age 92, passed away in her sleep on January 10, 2017.

Mary was preceded in death by her father, Ben Dannholz in 1980; her mother, Emma Wetzel Dannholz in 1981; and her husband Wilbur in 1986. She is survived by her children, Bonnie (Loren) Johnson of Savage; Barb (Jerry) Schiroo of Lakeville; grandchildren, Andrew (Autumn) Johnson of Shakopee, Amy (Jaron Aumick) Johnson of Phoenix, Thomas Schiroo, James Schiroo and Matthew Schiroo of Lakeville; 3 great-grandchildren, Summar, Bryce and Elijah Johnson; brother, Herman (Judy) Dannholz of Stillwater; nephew, Mike Dannholz of Springfield, VA; niece, Lori Hoff of Bayport; other nieces & nephews.

Mary was a first generation American, her parents each emigrating from Germany in 1913 and 1921. Mary was born on July 5, 1924. She attended kindergarten in South Minneapolis, but after the stock market crash of 1929, her family moved to a small farm near Grantsburg, WI. There she attended a one-room schoolhouse through 8th grade. When she was 19, she left the farm to live with family friends in St. Paul. She stayed with the Gretsfeld family for almost ten years, during which time she worked at Brown and Bigelow. As was customary at the time, she sent some of her income home to help support her parents and younger brother Herman, who were still on the farm. She met Wilbur Schnick at a dance in 1950. They were married on May 30, 1952. They lived in Bayport until 1954, when they built a home just outside of town. Mary's father, Ben, helped them build the house, and ended up living there with them the rest of his life.

Mary worked at a variety of places over the years, but most of her time was spent in the kitchen of the Lowell Inn and the cafeteria at Andersen Windows. She retired from the Lowell Inn at age 77.

Mary's greatest passion was gardening, which she did until she was 90. She also loved her many Pekingese dogs, who shared her home for many years. Another passion was travel. In later years she visited all 50 states. Her favorite places were Hawaii and the mountains of Colorado.

Gathering of family and friends will be 10AM-12:30PM on Saturday, January 28 at BRADSHAW CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTER, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd, Stillwater.