Obituary for Marilyn Schmutzler
Mrs. Marilyn R. Schmutzler, age 87 of Jefferson City, Mo. passed away Monday, November 7, 2022 at her home.
She was born on September 20, 1935 on the family dairy farm in Wardsville, Mo., the daughter of William Joseph and Frances Rose (Stockman) Huhman. Marilyn met Leonard Joseph “L.J.” Schmutzler, the love of her life, at a dance in Wardsville and they struck a deal; Marilyn agreed to go out with him if he agreed to let her teach him how to dance. Soon they were clearing dance floors with their impressive Waltz and were later married on May 29, 1954 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Wardsville. They enjoyed 57 years of marriage prior to Leonard’s passing on January 31, 2012.
A lifelong resident of the Central Missouri area, Marilyn was a 1953 graduate of St. Peter Catholic High School. She went on to obtain professional training throughout her 40-year career working in area law offices including, David Goller Law Firm, Graham and Graham Law Firm for many years, and others. These law offices worked largely with probate law, preparing her for a new path she was unaware she would boldly take.
In 1999, Marilyn was appointed by Governor Mel Carnahan to the position of Public Administrator, a seat that had seen much turnover in recent years. With her compassionate nature and legal background, Marilyn was trusted to turn things around and provide adequate service and care for those in need. After taking office mid-term and campaigning for another four terms, Marilyn served as the Cole County Public Administrator for over 16 years. In that time, she was appointed Guardian or conservator for hundreds of Cole County residents affected by mental or physical disabilities. She authorized all healthcare decisions, living arrangements, financial matters, including probate paperwork, and monitored their overall wellbeing to ensure a good quality of life. Marilyn brought professionalism, compassion and strength of character to the office of the Cole County Public Administrator.
A woman of strong faith, she was a dedicated member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and the Immaculata Club, The Madonna Chapter. Marilyn was a passionate volunteer, committing countless hours, over nearly 40 years, to the Fulton State Hospital working with mentally ill individuals. She was an active member of the following organizations: Cole County Democratic Committee, Cole County Historical Society, NAMI of Jefferson City (National Association for the Mentally Ill), Missouri/Cole County Farm Bureau, Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce, Helias Foundation, Missouri Association of Public Administrators, Co-Chairperson of the Avenue of Americas Committee for the 4th of July Foundation, and alongside her husband, co-founded the East Side Business Association with other charter members. Marilyn’s incredible dedication to her fellow humans was instilled in her through her childhood on the family dairy farm. She viewed every single person as a neighbor and if there is one thing neighbors should do, it’s help one another. Living in a community of people willing to extend help when needed and lean on each other in trials was an ideal of Marilyn’s and she did her part to make those ideals true of Cole County.
Though many people know her through her professional career or volunteer work, to her family, Marilyn was simply “Grannie”. She made it a point to make each grandchild feel important by throwing special Grannie sleepovers. She was the true matriarch of her family and she widened her circle of family to include others. Though Marilyn stayed busy, she always found time to slow down and enjoy life. She loved hosting family gatherings and cooking for friends and family. She relished getting lost in a good book or a Hallmark movie. Marilyn paused to reflect on the changing seasons, her flourishing flower garden and the song of the birds. She was the festive energy everyone needed around the holidays, and was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs and Missouri Tigers. Marilyn was a natural leader who conducted herself with class and she will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing her.
Survivors include: her children, Kathleen Cremer (James Braun) of Holts Summit, Mo., and Jerald “Jerry” Schmutzler of Jefferson City, Mo.; three siblings, Joan Thessen of O’Fallon, Mo., Donald Huhman of Fulton, Mo., and Rita Kochhar (Ram) of Renton, Washington; Six grandchildren, Sarah Clardy (Troy), Emily Cremer, Charles Cremer (Samantha), Jeff Cremer (Jill), Brock Schmutzler, and Dawson Schmutzler; and seven great grandchildren, Sam, Max, Gretta, Brynn, Tristin, Magdalene, and Joscelyn.
She was preceded in death by: her husband; parents; and four brothers, Charles Huhman, Fred Huhman, Francis “Bus” Huhman, and William “Bill” Huhman.
A prayer service will be held at 3:15 p.m., Friday, November 11, 2022 at Freeman Mortuary. The visitation will follow from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 11, 2022.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Reverend Matt Flatley officiating. Graveside services and interment will be conducted at St. Margaret Catholic Cemetery in Osage Bend, Mo.
Memorial contributions are suggested to The Jefferson City Samaritan Center, 1310 E McCarty St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
She was born on September 20, 1935 on the family dairy farm in Wardsville, Mo., the daughter of William Joseph and Frances Rose (Stockman) Huhman. Marilyn met Leonard Joseph “L.J.” Schmutzler, the love of her life, at a dance in Wardsville and they struck a deal; Marilyn agreed to go out with him if he agreed to let her teach him how to dance. Soon they were clearing dance floors with their impressive Waltz and were later married on May 29, 1954 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Wardsville. They enjoyed 57 years of marriage prior to Leonard’s passing on January 31, 2012.
A lifelong resident of the Central Missouri area, Marilyn was a 1953 graduate of St. Peter Catholic High School. She went on to obtain professional training throughout her 40-year career working in area law offices including, David Goller Law Firm, Graham and Graham Law Firm for many years, and others. These law offices worked largely with probate law, preparing her for a new path she was unaware she would boldly take.
In 1999, Marilyn was appointed by Governor Mel Carnahan to the position of Public Administrator, a seat that had seen much turnover in recent years. With her compassionate nature and legal background, Marilyn was trusted to turn things around and provide adequate service and care for those in need. After taking office mid-term and campaigning for another four terms, Marilyn served as the Cole County Public Administrator for over 16 years. In that time, she was appointed Guardian or conservator for hundreds of Cole County residents affected by mental or physical disabilities. She authorized all healthcare decisions, living arrangements, financial matters, including probate paperwork, and monitored their overall wellbeing to ensure a good quality of life. Marilyn brought professionalism, compassion and strength of character to the office of the Cole County Public Administrator.
A woman of strong faith, she was a dedicated member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and the Immaculata Club, The Madonna Chapter. Marilyn was a passionate volunteer, committing countless hours, over nearly 40 years, to the Fulton State Hospital working with mentally ill individuals. She was an active member of the following organizations: Cole County Democratic Committee, Cole County Historical Society, NAMI of Jefferson City (National Association for the Mentally Ill), Missouri/Cole County Farm Bureau, Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce, Helias Foundation, Missouri Association of Public Administrators, Co-Chairperson of the Avenue of Americas Committee for the 4th of July Foundation, and alongside her husband, co-founded the East Side Business Association with other charter members. Marilyn’s incredible dedication to her fellow humans was instilled in her through her childhood on the family dairy farm. She viewed every single person as a neighbor and if there is one thing neighbors should do, it’s help one another. Living in a community of people willing to extend help when needed and lean on each other in trials was an ideal of Marilyn’s and she did her part to make those ideals true of Cole County.
Though many people know her through her professional career or volunteer work, to her family, Marilyn was simply “Grannie”. She made it a point to make each grandchild feel important by throwing special Grannie sleepovers. She was the true matriarch of her family and she widened her circle of family to include others. Though Marilyn stayed busy, she always found time to slow down and enjoy life. She loved hosting family gatherings and cooking for friends and family. She relished getting lost in a good book or a Hallmark movie. Marilyn paused to reflect on the changing seasons, her flourishing flower garden and the song of the birds. She was the festive energy everyone needed around the holidays, and was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs and Missouri Tigers. Marilyn was a natural leader who conducted herself with class and she will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing her.
Survivors include: her children, Kathleen Cremer (James Braun) of Holts Summit, Mo., and Jerald “Jerry” Schmutzler of Jefferson City, Mo.; three siblings, Joan Thessen of O’Fallon, Mo., Donald Huhman of Fulton, Mo., and Rita Kochhar (Ram) of Renton, Washington; Six grandchildren, Sarah Clardy (Troy), Emily Cremer, Charles Cremer (Samantha), Jeff Cremer (Jill), Brock Schmutzler, and Dawson Schmutzler; and seven great grandchildren, Sam, Max, Gretta, Brynn, Tristin, Magdalene, and Joscelyn.
She was preceded in death by: her husband; parents; and four brothers, Charles Huhman, Fred Huhman, Francis “Bus” Huhman, and William “Bill” Huhman.
A prayer service will be held at 3:15 p.m., Friday, November 11, 2022 at Freeman Mortuary. The visitation will follow from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 11, 2022.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Reverend Matt Flatley officiating. Graveside services and interment will be conducted at St. Margaret Catholic Cemetery in Osage Bend, Mo.
Memorial contributions are suggested to The Jefferson City Samaritan Center, 1310 E McCarty St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.