Mary K. (Bartel) Schmitz of rural Malone "Calumetville", passed away peacefully Monday, December 18, 2017, with her loving children at her side. Mary was born December 17, 1948, to Walter "Wally" M. & Lucille M. (Roehrig) Bartel. She attended Holy Rosary Grade School and graduated from New Holstein High School in 1967. She attended UW-Oshkosh where she received her degree in elementary education. Mary spent 36 years teaching; initially with the Consolidated Parochial School System in Mount Calvary where she taught first grade and the majority of her career within the New Holstein public schools teaching kindergarten. She retired in 2011, but continued working with the kindergarten students through her volunteer work at the school until October of 2017. On June 2, 1970, she married Edward R. Schmitz at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in New Holstein. They were happily married for 34 years until Ed's death on December 14, 2004. Mary loved the Packers, her dogs, her students, helping others, and above all else, her family. It is estimated that Mary taught over 1,500 children during her career. She is survived by her two children, Benjamin Schmitz of Green Bay and Caroline (Ross) Matlock of DePere; her granddaughter, Maisie Matlock; brothers and sister, Gerald (Bonnie) Bartel of New Holstein, Allen "Skip" Bartel of Chilton, Sue (Jim) Karrenbauer of Grayslake, IL, and Steve (Ann) Bartel of Fond du Lac; her sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Susan Irons of North Fond du Lac, Thomas (Lori) Schmitz of Malone, June Kruck of Fond du Lac, and Wanda (Ken) Schmidt of Mount Calvary. She is further survived by uncles and aunts, especially Andy (Carol) Bartel of Malone with whom she shared a special relationship; nieces; nephews, other relatives and many friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, Wally & Lucille Bartel; her husband, Ed; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bernard & Audrey Schmitz; and her sister-in-law, Nancy Bartel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 23, 2017, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1724 Madison Street, New Holstein, WI 53061. Rev. Gary Wegner, OFM Cap will officiate with Parish Director, Joe Zenk, assisting. Mary will be laid to rest next to her husband in the Holy Rosary Cemetery. Visitation: Family and friends may visit with Mary's family at the Sippel Funeral Home, 2618 Altona Avenue, New Holstein, WI on Friday, December 22nd from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be at the funeral home Saturday morning from 9:00 AM until 10:15 AM. For additional information, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in New Holstein, (920) 898-4300 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net. Mary and her family extend a special thank you to the staff at Froedtert Wauwatosa and West Bend campuses, Aurora Bay Care Medical Center, and Unity Hospice in DePere for all of their care and compassion.