Marion L. Schmudlach — Owatonna

Marion L. Schmudlach, 84, of Owatonna, died Thursday, July 11, 2013, at her home. As she wished, she died at her home listening to her pond fountain, birds, wind chimes and surrounded by her family.

She was born Nov. 14, 1928, in Fredericksburg, Iowa, the daughter of Lance and Verna (Adams) Barker. She graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1946, and then was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Donald Schmudlach on April 13, 1948, in Waterloo, Iowa.

Although Marion retired after a long career with Yellow Freight, her primary focus always was her family. Marion traveled extensively, visiting daughters in New York, California, Arizona, Louisiana and loved embarking on great road trips with her children and good friend, Diane Crawford. Some of Marion's greatest joys were swimming at Lake Kohlmeier with her good friend, Marjorie Zimmerman, gardening in her backyard garden and watching her fish in the pond that she maintained with her son, DJ. Marion also enjoyed watching the birds in her backyard, reading, following horse racing and was an avid Twins Baseball fan. Marion was a remarkable woman who kept her family together, maintained her beloved house on School Street and was financially secure despite becoming a widow at age 50. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by children, Suzanne (Rick) Pyburn, of Sioux City, Iowa, Teri (Gary) Sturgill, of Owatonna, Kay (Ron) Kuhlmann, of Red Wing, Deanna Schmudlach, of Rochester, and DJ Schmudlach, of Owatonna. She also is survived by four grandchildren, Sarah (Donovan) Ellis, Elizabeth Pyburn, Adam (Christina) Kuhlmann and Lindsay Kuhlmann; and three great-grandchildren, Bella Rose Ellis, and Mason and Carter Kuhlmann; and also many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald Schmudlach; and two brothers, Edwin and Gerald Barker.

Visitation will be at the United Methodist Church on Monday, July 15, from 1 to 2 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 15, at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Loren Olson officiating. Interment will be at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna.

Memorials are preferred to the Salvation Army or the Steele County Humane Society.

Michaelson Funeral Home is handling arrangements,1930 Austin Road,Owatonna, MN 55060.507-451-7943.