Grace Darlene Schoen

Grace Darlene (Winter) Schoen, age 86, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2018 at Riverside Assisted Living in Neillsville, Wisconsin.

Grace was youngest of 8 children born to Julius and Jenny Winter in Columbia, WI on December 29, 1931. Grace grew up in difficult conditions in a rural area during the great depression but was able to work for her room and board in Neillsville to graduate high school. As a young woman she assisted several of her sisters in a midwife type role that took her from West Virginia to Washington State until she was united in marriage with Edward Schoen on November 22, 1951.

Grace and Edward operated a farm in Levis Township, Neillsville from 1951 to 1979. Besides working side by side her husband building a successful dairy farm and raising a family of six children, Grace was active in the PCCW at St Mary’s Catholic Church and the Levis community. Grace opened her home to family as well as neighbors which made for many cherished memories. She also hosted large summer gatherings of her siblings and their children who came from all over the United States for many years. Her interests included family history, puzzles and she was an excellent wine maker. Grace and Edward were able to travel extensively, visiting nearly every region of the United States, Mexico and took frequent fishing trips to Canada. After stepping back from the farm, Grace & Edward spent her winters in Mission, Texas where she made numerous friends at the Circle T retirement community.

Grace is preceded in death by her husband Edward, sisters Edith Ottens, Vivian Flaherty, Florence Marty, Clarice Lockman, Alice Lisko, and brothers Clifford and Arthur Winter, a grandson Randell Miller, a granddaughter Bethany Opelt and daughter-in-law Rise’ Schoen.

She is survived by children Linda (Gary) Miller, Edward Schoen, Patti (Tom) Drangstveit, Connie (Wayne) Opelt, Larry (Kris) Schoen, Kevin (Sheena) Schoen. Grace is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Special thanks is given to Riverside Assisted Living for the comfort provided to Grace in her last days.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Held at 11:00 am Wednesday November 14, 2018 at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville. The celebrant will be Rev. Varkey V. Joseph. . Altar servers will be Charlie Schoen and Mary Hartung. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:00, Wednesday November 14, 2018 at St Mary’s Catholic Church.

Honorary Casket Bearers: Austin Schoen and Robert Schoen.

Casket Bearers are: Ethen Schoen, John Schoen, Jeffrey Opelt, Matthew Miller, Brandon Bertz, Daniel Schoen.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Grace’s family with Funeral arrangements.