Mary Helen Schuster

Mary Helen Schuster, 86, Nevada, passed away Monday, Dec. 5, 2011, at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada, following a brief illness. She was born Dec. 14, 1924, in Boonville, Mo., to Louis D. Imhoff and Sophia Schmitt Imhoff. She was married Sept. 9, 1948, in Martinsville, Mo., to Richard Joseph Schuster, and he preceded her in death Feb. 15, 1960.

Mrs. Schuster was raised in the Pilot Grove, Mo., area and attended school in Martinsville, Mo. She came to Nevada in 1965 and lived the remainder of her life here. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Nevada. Mary worked at Farnham's Laundry and later Mosher's Village Laundry in Nevada for 35 years, retiring in July 2007.

Mary was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother who filled a room with her smile and laughter. Mary was the matriarch of her family. Her home always had an open door for anyone. Food was plenty and all could feel her welcoming, caring touch. Mary enjoyed gardening, reading, and all activities that she could watch and cheer for her grandchildren.

Mary loved all holidays. Nothing provided more contentment for her than a yard full of lighted Christmas decorations, a living room table filled with candy for trick-or-treaters, or her traditional fried chicken dinners for all of her children on Valentine's Day.

Mary lived a full life, complete with laughter and sorrow. Although her physical presence will be missed, her traditions, love, and spirit will live on in her family.

Survivors include nine children, Margie Wolf and her husband, Vic, Nevada, Mo., Linda Westerhold and friend, John Spencer, Nevada, Mo., Richard Schuster and his wife, Laura, Nevada, Mo., Wayne Schuster and his wife, Debra, Walker, Mo., Katie Sanderson and her husband, Larry, Jeannie Hirschman and her husband, Tom, both of Nevada, Mo., Patty Stober and her husband, Dale, Maricopa, Ariz., Vickie McKinley, Dublin, Calif., and Lisa Daniels and her husband, Keith, Neosho, Mo.; 16 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; two brothers, John Imhoff, Blackwater, Mo., and Jake Imhoff, Issaquah, Wash.; one sister, Anna Mae Bentlage, Jefferson City, Mo.; one brother-in-law, Melvin Knipp, of Tipton, Mo.; and one sister-in-law, Isabel Lang, of Boonville, Mo. She was preceded in death by her parents; spouse; two brothers, Frank Imhoff and Patrick Imhoff; and three sisters, Margaret Class, Bertha Gerling and Clara (Tutor) Knipp.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 7, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Nevada, with the Rev. Tom Albers officiating. Interment will follow at St. Martin's Cemetery in Martinsville, Mo., at 3 p.m.

Friends may call now and until 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. A rosary service will be held, at the funeral home, Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m., with visitation to follow between 6:30 and 8 p.m.

Contributions may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church in care of Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com