Marie (Toots) Elizabeth Schanzmeyer, 88, parted this life on August 29, 2016, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Her departure was lifted by the family praying and singing Happy Anniversary on the eve of their 69th Wedding Anniversary.

She was born on the Heckemeyer family farm in St. Elizabeth on July 9, 1928 to John F. and Elizabeth (Jurgensmeyer) Heckemeyer.

Toots attended Struemph School near St. Elizabeth. She loved social gatherings. One in particular was attending Folk picnic and dance, and was fortunate to dance with a handsome gentleman and their relationship grew from there. Toots was united in marriage on August 30, 1947 to the love of her life, Leonard Henry Schanzmeyer, who survives at the home.

Toots was a devoted wife and mother. She spent her married years working on the family farm next to her husband and children raising crops and livestock. She was very proud as the family won the "Outstanding Achievement Award for Miller County - Farm Family of the Year" in 1970. She also took pride in her garden and spent many summers canning food for the family. She was a happy homemaker and loved frying chicken and baking pies, especially when it was silo filling time. Her hobbies included bowling at the local lanes for 20 years and playing pinochle and pitch with their card groups. She so enjoyed taking family summer beach vacations. She loved watching her children's, grandchildren's, and great grandchildren's activities and could be heard cheering. She was an avid Cardinals and Royals fan. She cherished visiting her sister, Emma, and family in Kansas City.

Toots was a volunteer at school for 7 years. She was called upon many times to help the sick and transport relatives and friends for doctor visits. Toots was especially dedicated to the care she gave their son, Kenny, for 21 years.

Toots was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, St. Ann's Sodality, and Charter member of the WPFA now the St. Elizabeth Quilting Club. She served on the Farm and Home Administration Board, Community Center Board, and enjoyed CYO sponsorship.

She is survived by 8 children, Carolyn (Charles) Halderman, Betty (Don) Kever, Doris (Jack) Fisher all of Wardsville. Diane (Richard) Juergensmeyer, Janet (Paul) Beck, Kathleen (Steve) Schwartze, Joe (Shannon) Schanzmeyer, and Mary Lou (Greg) Rehagen all of St. Elizabeth; 23 grandchildren, Drs. Chuck (Kelly) Halderman, Chris Halderman, Chad Halderman, Corey Halderman, Marcia (Scott) Niekamp, Leslie (Brad) Hefferon, Andrea (Chris Scott) Fisher, Aaron (Andrea) Fisher, Brandon (Ashley) Juergensmeyer, Jessica Rowden, Dr. Phil Beck, Connor Beck, Jenna (Chris) Korsmeyer, Jamie Schwartze, Kenney Schwartze, Shelby Schanzmeyer, Logan Schanzmeyer, Canon Schanzmeyer, Kacey Rehagen, Austin Rehagen, Courtney Hoecker, Cali Boessen, and Sawyer Boessen; 17 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Toots is preceded in death by two children, Kenneth and infant daughter Patricia; Siblings - Emma (Julius) Bax, Henry (Beatrice) Heckemeyer, George Heckemeyer, Lawrence (Cyrilla) Heckemeyer, John (Irma) Heckemeyer, and Fred Heckemeyer. She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Lorene Heckemeyer, and Dorothy Heckemeyer, and brother-in-law and wife, Frank and Delphine Schanzmeyer.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 4, from 3-7 p.m., with a prayer service lead by Deacon Steve Schwartze at 3 p.m., at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in St. Elizabeth.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, September 5, at 11 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Burial will be in the St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery. Fr. I.C. Medina and Fr. Joby Thomas will officiate.

Arrangements are under the direction of Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in St. Elizabeth.

Memorial contributions are suggested Hospice Compassus or to St. Lawrence Catholic Church.