Mary Ellen Gillaspie was born September 7, 1918 at her grandparents’ home northeast of Ottumwa, the daughter of James and Mary Margaret (Ball) Gillaspie.
She grew up in the Ottumwa area and attended several different rural schools in that area, before graduating from Cathedral High School in Omaha, Nebraska. After graduation, she remained in Omaha where she worked for one year. She then returned home to the Ottumwa area, where she lived and helped her parents.
Mary Ellen was united in marriage to Joseph H. Schofield on January 8, 1942, at Midland, South Dakota. After their marriage, they made their home on a ranch north of Manilla. They later moved back to the ranch where she was born, northeast of Ottumwa. They remained there until 1946, when they purchased her uncle’s homestead, three miles east of Ottumwa, where they ranched and raised their children.
Her husband Joe preceded her in death on August 24, 1980. She continued to reside at the farm-ranch until moving into the Philip Nursing Home in July 2009. She was awarded the “Century Farm Award” at the South Dakota State Fair in August 2009.
She was a member of St. William’s Catholic Church and Church Altar Society of Midland, the Ottumwa School Board, and a longtime 4-H Leader.
Survivors include three sons Donald Schofield (Bobette) of Milesville, Lawrence Schofield (Ronda) of Midland, and Vince Schofield (Mary) of Midland; six daughters Peggy Garoutte (Harry) of Boise, Idaho, Joanne Menning (Simon) of Ft. Pierre, Cecelia Kotilnek (Tom) of Pierre, Rita Anker (Monte) of Murdo, Debra Prouty (Joe) of Philip, and Mary Hengstler of Sundance, Wyoming; thirty grandchildren Tyra Austin, Dawn Simons, Justin and Jeff Schofield, Lisa Jonas, Lynn Dunker, Tim, Joe, Jeff and Mike Jones, Kyle and Brett Schofield, Twyla Bestgen, Vicki Daly, Michael Schofield, Kimberly, Brian, Sheila, Clint, and Mark Menning, Gina Hickenbotham, Jason and Jon Kotilnek, Jennifer Pol, Josh Anker, Quentin and Cody Riggins, Erin Hovland, and Larry and Joe Hengstler; fifty great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; three sisters Margaret Ann Whipple of Omaha, Nebraska, Alice Peterson of Omaha, and Catherine Lullo (Carmen) of Gwinn, Michigan; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband Joe, Mary Ellen was preceded in death by an infant daughter; her parents; a son-in-law Tim Riggins; two brothers John and James Gillaspie; three infant sisters; and five infant great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16, at St. William Catholic Church in Midland, with a rosary service at 7:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial was held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 17, at St. William Catholic Church in Midland, with Father Kevin Achbach as celebrant.
Interment was at the Midland Cemetery.
A memorial is established.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Thursday, March 17, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.
St. William Catholic Church
Midland, South Dakota
CELEBRANT
Father Kevin Achbach
LECTOR
Phil O’Connor
EUCHARISTIC MINISTER
Audrey Jones
ALTAR SERVERS
Sidney Dunker - Samantha Schofield
John Schofield
MUSIC
Barb Petoske – Pianist
Shelby Schofield - Vocalist
“Amazing Grace”
“I Am The Bread Of Life”
“O Loving God”
“Song of Farewell”
GIFT BEARERS
Kim Menning - Vicki Daly
USHERS
Allen Schofield - Terry Schofield
Matt Schofield - Bob Schofield
PALLBEARERS
Justin Schofield - Tim Jones - Kyle Schofield
Michael Schofield - Brian Menning - Jason Kotilnek
Josh Anker - Quentin Riggins - Larry Hengstler
INTERMENT
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota
Guest Book
To all of Mary Ellen's children and grandchildren we extend our deepest sympathy to each of you. Larry has many fond memories growing up with all of you and spending time at your home. He has often spoken of Mary Ellen making "snow ice cream" and all the excitment that came with that treat. May God watch over all of you and His peace enfold you! Our thought and prayers are with you. Larry and Vicki
~ Vicki Neiderworder
Philip SD (3/13/2011)
If there ever was an angel disguising as a human, I'm sure Mary Ellen was one.
What a precious, precious lady. She was good and patient with ever single person she ever encountered...a truly grateful person. I know she had a wonderful life and adored each and every child and grandchild...because of the special smile and twinkle in her eyes when she spoke of you or you can to visit her.
She will be truly missed. Now, to all of you who loved her so very dearly, my prayer is for your comfort and help through these very rough next few days and first years.
God bless her memory and all of you.
~ Rebecca Williams
Philip (3/13/2011)
Keeping your family in our thoughts & prayers. Paul,Moneik,& Mikaela
~ Paul & Moneik Stephens
Black Hawk SD (3/13/2011)
You are in our Hearts and Prayers in your time of loss.
~ Butch Amsden
Santa Rosa California (3/13/2011)
Our heartfelt sympathy to all of you in this time of loss. Mary Ellen was a very special lady, so quiet and caring. Jim & Jessie Root
~ Jim & Jessie Root
San Juan, tx (3/13/2011)
My thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you at this time of loss. Mary Ellen was a very special lady and will be missed by many. May your memories of happier times sustain you in the future.
~ Ann and Larry Cvach
Midland, SD (3/13/2011)
My prayers and sympathies go out to the family of Mary Ellen. She was a sweet lady to take care of, always smiling and kind. I enjoyed her a great deal while working at PHS. May she rest in peace.
~ Jay and Tabatha Calhoon
Wall (3/13/2011)
I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort in lots of good memories. God Bless.
~ Kathy LaDue
Anamosa, IA (3/13/2011)
My deepest sympathy to all of you. I have so many memories of Aunt Mary Ellen and Uncle Joe, I will truely miss coming out that direction and not going to the farm. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you
~ Camille (Kelly) Hinrickson
Sioux Falls, SD (3/13/2011)
Rita and Mary,
I'm so sorry to hear of your moms passing, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
~ Karen Nelson
Murdo,SD (3/13/2011)
Twyla and Dirk and Family, I am sorry for your loss. I just went through this in December so I know exactly how it feels. I will be thinking of you guys.
~ William Huston
Sturgis (3/13/2011)
Lynn, Tyra, Dawn and families,
I am sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you
~ Alisha Oldenberg
Philip, SD (3/13/2011)
Sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Pray she is happy in heaven.
~ Tony Harty
Kadoka (3/13/2011)
May God help you thru this difficult time in the loss of your Mother. I have some great memories from our years at Ottumwa. you all will be in our prayers
~ Kathy Byrne Wood
Box 695 Newell,S.D. 57760 (3/13/2011)
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Mary Ellen was a special aunt to us all and she was loved by many. That was so obvious by the loving care your family gave to her. She is safe in Heaven now beside Joe. May God comfort you during this very hard time.
~ Larry and Julie McLaughlin
Midland (3/13/2011)
Our loving thoughts and prayers will be with you.
~ Mike and Shar Moses
Philip, S.D. (3/13/2011)
Suzy and I send our sympathy to those left behind. How we will miss her. I think back to the days when Martin and I were first married and how kind and helpful she was to me. Fun times when the kids were little. I think of her parting as the "perfect healing." We feel sorry for ourselves but we rejoice for Mary Ellen. Wish Suzy and I could be there to say goodby and give hugs all around.
Love and prayers to the family. Edith and Suzy Schofield
~ Edith Schofield
Box. 555, Evansville, Wy. 82636 (3/13/2011)
My heart breaks that I am not going to be able to be there to share in the memory of this wonderful life. I have so many fond memories of the trips from Idaho to the farm as a child. It was a magical and wonderful place to be for a city kid from Idaho. At the same time my heart fills with joy and pride to know that grandma is in a better place, and that who I am as a person, father, and citizen is a direct reflection through my mother of who grandma was and how she lived her life. Praise God that this wonderful person touched so many lives!
~ Jeff Jones
Kimberly, ID (3/13/2011)
Our sympathy to all the family. I'm sure Mary Ellen has earned her rest in a forever beautiful eternity.
~ Justin and Joyce Wheeler
24206 Fairview Road (3/13/2011)
I was honored to call such a wonderful person my grandma and I deeply regret not being there for the service. Although it had been many years since I saw grandma, she always had a special place in my heart. I have fond childhood memories of her warm smile and kind spirit. We are all better people for knowing her. God Bless!
~ Michael Jones
Meridian, ID. (3/13/2011)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of your loss. May your memories be of comfort to you in the days ahead.
~ Hal & Tammy Jewett
Pierre, SD (3/13/2011)
Mary Ellen was always kind and good to me, as her son-in-law. She will greatly missed by her children and grand children as well.
~ Virgil Jones
Boise, ID (3/13/2011)
Mary Ellen was a kind and gracious lady. Her heart and soul was her family, and she had a talent for making everyone who entered her home feel a part of her family. She will be missed by all who knew her.
~ Carla Smith
Milesville SD (3/13/2011)
I am so sorry to hear of the death of Aunt Mary. My thoughts and prayers are with all the family and friends of Mary.
Sincerely,
Mr. and Mrs. William Dowling and family
~ Dawn Dowling
1443 Lynn Ave. Marquette MI 49855 (3/13/2011)