Marie Angela Schildt

Marie Angela Schildt was born on Oct. 1st, 1923, to Alex and Leone Greeninger in Otsego, Minnesota. She was the second of twelve children and became her mother’s “little general” caring for her younger siblings on the family farm.

Marie attended the Greeninger School, a one-room schoolhouse donated by her family. During the depression, she worked outside of home to help with family finances. When World War II began, Marie took a job at Telex in Minneapolis, sharing a house with several young women, one of whom, Lucy Schildt became a close friend.

She and Lucy often came to Alexandria to visit Lucy’s mother, Rose who lived in a charming old cabin on the shores of Lake L’Homme Dieu Bay. It was here Marie met and later married Lucy’s cousin Herb Schildt. They bought land adjacent to Rose where Herb built the family home. Family and friends were always visiting, and always welcome at “summer camp”.

Marie dearly loved their home, garden and woods where she lived for over seven decades. She and Herb raised four adventurous children; Lavonne, Thomas, Deborah and Michael. Marie was a skilled homemaker, avid gardener, loving mother, neighbor and friend. Her spiritual values infused in all she did. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church; active in Christian Mothers; the funeral committee; a Boy Scout and Girl Scout Leader; taught Catechism; and delivered communion to shut ins for fifteen years.

After her children had grown Marie took a job at Singer Sewing, until it closed. She and Herb enjoyed taking trips to Alaska, the Dominican Republic, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico and across the United States. They spent fourteen winters in Yuma, Arizona making many lasting friends.

Marie lived her life fully and with gusto. She was an avid Twins and Viking fan and enjoyed playing Bridge, Cribbage, Mexican Train, Rummy Cube and Yahtzee with family and friends. She loved to bake, cook, fish, garden, golf, knit, quilt and sew throughout her 99 years.

Within her lifetime she witnessed sweeping change - from indoor plumbing and television to cell phones and the internet. Her advice and opinions were freely shared; from cooking and canning to lifestyle and politics. She always voted.

Following Herb’s death in 2002, Marie sold some of their property, which became L’Homme Dieu Estates and built a home there that served her needs as she aged. She lived in this home until her death, cared for her those last eight months by hospice and her loving family.

Marie passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023, at the age of 99.  A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 11 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the mass at the church on Saturday.

Those wishing to make donations in her honor please contact: Sharing and Caring Hands: info@sharingandcaringhands.org