Sylvia Schreifels

Sylvia Marie Schreifels (nee Smith), age 78, of Stillwater, passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Sylvia grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, off West 7th Street, where many members of her extended family lived on the same street. Those close family roots shaped her life and remained deeply important to her. She cherished time spent with family, especially at the family cabin, where she enjoyed camping and fishing.

Sylvia attended St. Joseph’s Academy and later the College of St. Catherine. She met Michael (Mike) Schreifels, at the Prom Ballroom, and the two were married on June 1, 1968. Sylvia and Mike eventually settled in Stillwater, where they built their forever home in 1978 and raised their two children, Michele and Michael. Sylvia took great pride in her children, cheering at Michael’s soccer games and attending Michele’s dance performances.

Throughout her life, Sylvia worked at West Publishing, Cossetta’s, and Washington County. In later years, her greatest joy came from her granddaughter, Sophia. Sylvia delighted in watching Sophia’s many activities, including dance, gymnastics, swimming, and orchestra concerts, and treasured every moment they shared together. Sylvia will be remembered for her love and devotion to family.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Mike; her parents, Robert and Shirley Smith; her nephew David Smith; and her granddaughter’s father, Michael Shikany. Sylvia will be deeply missed by her children, Michele and Michael; granddaughter, Sophia; brothers, Robert (Cheryl) and Lee (Diane); and many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family.

A service celebrating Sylvia’s life will be held at Bradshaw, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd., Stillwater, MN 55082, on Friday, January 2, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service.