Mary Schwertfeger

Mary Zavoda Schwertfeger, daughter of the late Peter Zavoda and Mary (Tkach) Zavoda, was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 26, 1924. She passed away in Springfield, Missouri on August 28, 2010 at the age of 85 years, 9 months, and 2 days.
Mary enjoyed telling the grandchildren about her early years. She shared many stories about her visits to the Chicago bakery, her family and friends, and her strong work ethic. Mary started work at a department store when she was 14 years old and was proud to be earning a wage to help support her family.
Mary was united in marriage to Owen (Jerry) Jerald Schwertfeger, Jr. on February 28, 1954. Two sons were born to this union.
Mary was employed by United Airlines from 1954 to 1960. During this time she never missed a day of work. She left her employment to care for their first son, Mark. She then stayed home and managed the apartment buildings that they owned from 1960 to 1977.
Mary moved away from her Chicago family and friends to start a new journey in 1971 when they moved the family to the beautiful Ozarks. Mary continued to manage their Chicago apartments through phone and mail correspondence until 1977 when Jerry and Mary decided to begin a new venture. They built a milk barn and began a career as dairy farmers.
Along with Mary’s responsibilities as a wife and devoted mother, she enjoyed working side by side with her husband and sons. She baled hay, fed calves, and worked directly with all aspects of their dairy and beef operation. Mary managed the bookkeeping and continued to do so until her health failed.
Mary was a faithful member of the Greek Orthodox Church when she lived in Chicago and continued to practice her faith at home after the family moved to the Ozarks.
Mary was preceded in death by her loving and faithful husband, Jerry; three sisters: Jeanette at age 3, Helen Zavoda, and Ann Newberg; one brother: Jay (Peter) Zavoda; and two brothers-in-law: Livingston Newberg, and Paul Myers.
Mary is survived by her two sons: Mark and his wife, Janet, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, and Jerry and his wife, Darla, of Bloomington, Illinois; four grandchildren: John Mark, Liz, Elisa, and Jacob. She is also survived by three sisters: Irene Myers, Lil and husband Ted Bredlau, Sue and husband Bob Ulotoski; one sister-in-law, Emily Stulgate; four nieces: Linda Schulz, Nancy Kanka, Susie Ulotoski, and Mary Bredlau; six nephews: Peter Newberg, John Stulgate, Mike Stulgate, Steve Myers, Tom Myers, and Teddy Bredlau.
She leaves behind family and friends that will greatly miss her.


Memorial Services:

Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 3:00 PM in the funeral home chapel.

Memorial Contributions:

Gideons c/o the funeral home.Friends and Family may sign the register book and view photos on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel from 8:00 AM- 3:00 PM.