Former New Bremen resident Louise M. J. Schwartz, 88, died at 3:05 p.m. Feb. 5, 2010, at Otterbein St. Marys Retirement Community.

She was born Sept. 12, 1921, in Maria Stein, to Henry John and Magdalena F. Hoelscher Rutschilling. On Sept. 25, 1946, she married Lawrence Schwartz, who died Oct. 22, 2000.

Surviving are her children, Betty (Gene) Will, Minster, Beverly (Tom) Strasburg, St. Marys, James (Laura) Schwartz, Wapakoneta, and Roger (Kathy) Schwartz, Mooresville, N.C.; three sisters, Margaret Bruns, Minster, Mary Agnes Boeckman, Coldwater, and Jeanette Thobe, New Knoxville; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Deceased is a brother, Wilferd Rutschilling.

A homemaker, she was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in New Bremen, where she was director of religious education for several years. She also was a member of the American Legion Post 241 Auxiliary of New Bremen.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. Thomas Mannebach officiating. Burial is at German Protestant Cemetery in New Bremen.

Calling is 4-8 p.m. Friday at Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen, and 9:30-10 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Contributions can be made to State of the Heart Hospice.