With great joy amid deep sorrow, we announce that our dear Mother, Marilyn J. Schuhmacher, entered the presence of the Lord on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Casa de Oakes in Reedsburg, WI. Marilyn was born on July 12, 1940, in Brainerd MN, the daughter of Lester and Dorothy Franz, Sr. She grew up in a happy home filled with love and faith in God. She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at the age of 12 and surrendered to serve the Lord with her life at the age of 19. After her High School graduation in Brainerd, she received Missionary training at Bethany Fellowship. She married Edward Kowach on June 6, 1965. Together, they followed the Lord's call to serve on the mission field in Seoul, South Korea until 1980.

As it often does, life abruptly changed when the family returned to America. Marilyn, now a single mother of four young children, faced unthinkable turmoil and hardship with grace and strength. Undeterred, she raised her children with the same love and pattern of faith that her parents had instilled in her years before. Her example of steadfast faithfulness to the Lord set a course for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who carry on that legacy to this day. While providing In-Home health care, she met Ron and Paul Schuhmacher. Ron and Marilyn fell in love and married on October 26, 2000. She diligently cared for Ron, Paul, and their aging mother until the time of their deaths. As her own health began to decline, Marilyn moved to Reedsburg in 2023. Even in her confusion with Alzheimer’s disease, she never forgot her promise to serve the Lord and was always preparing for the next class she would teach or song she would play on her accordion or piano.

Marilyn is survived by her children: Mary (Fred) Weiss, Tim (Jennifer) Kowach, Dan (Dee) Kowach, and Nathan (Becky) Kowach. Her Grandchildren: Christy (Chris) Anderson, Reed Weiss, Kayla and Amber Kowach, Brianna (Bill) Wicks, Alyssa (Eric) Locke, David, Emily, Elisabeth, Joshua, and Bethany Kowach. Her Great Grandchildren: Maddy, Lilly, Evey, Ethan, and Raven. Her Siblings: Lester (Lucy) Franz, Al (Sharon) Franz, and Donna (Dean) Klebs, Jerry (Deb) Franz, as well as nieces, nephews, and many extended family members.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters-in-law, her husband, an infant great granddaughter and many other loved ones.

Funeral services will be held February 22, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church in Jefferson, WI. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am. The funeral will begin at 11:00 am with a luncheon to follow. The burial service will be at the Summit Cemetery in Oconomowoc at 2:00 pm.

A very special thanks to Casa de Oakes and their dedicated staff who loved and cared for our precious mom so tenderly. The Agrace staff was also such a help and blessing. Thank You!