Agnes Lenora (Bower) Schierschmidt

Agnes Lenora Schierschmidt, age 82, of Munising, died early Friday evening, October 9, 2020 at Medilodge in Munising.  She was born in Melstrand on January 30, 1938 to William and Thelma (Robinson) Bower.  Agnes graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1956.  She worked at the Munising Co-op before marrying Edward “Buck” Schierschmidt on August 2, 1958.  Together they raised their five children on the Schierschmidt family farm.  Agnes was a great cook and always opened their home to her children’s friends and other family members for meals and family time.  She and Buck were married over forty-one years when he preceded her in death on May 22, 2000.  In addition to being a homemaker and working on the farm, Agnes worked for the Munising Public Schools as an aide.  It was there where she found her calling in the special education rooms where Agnes lovingly and patiently helped the children with special needs.  Often the kids would visit the farm during field trips where they would enjoy the farm and especially the horse rides.  Agnes was so good with the kids in the classroom that oftentimes the parents would have her care for the children outside of the school calendar.  Agnes was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Church and she enjoyed working with crafts, ceramics, knitting, and crocheting.  She loved babies and children and most enjoyed her grandchildren.  Her patient and calm demeanor stayed with Agnes throughout her entire life, even when illness took her memory away from her.  She was a dear, kind, and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend.

Agnes is survived by her five children – Ed Schierschmidt, Cathy Schierschmidt, Jim (Becky) Schierschmidt, Ray (Vicki) Schierschmidt all of Munising, and Bill (Dawn) Schierschmidt of Soddy Daisy, TN; seven grandchildren – Carrie (Greg) Boche, Danny (Jessica) Schierschmidt, A.J. (Erin) Schierschmidt, Kristi (Jesse) Robinson, Ray (Kimi) Schierschmidt, Samantha Schierschmidt, and Emma Schierschmidt; eleven great-grandchildren – Maddy, Jay, Wyatt, Zach, Abigail, Hunter, Agnes, Reed, Aiden, Nora, and Elsie; brother – Charles Bower of Upstate NY; aunt – Bernetta Rushford; sisters-in-law Katie Bower and Gloria Bower; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Agnes was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Thelma, husband Buck, and brothers Lenord and Clarence Bower.

Services for Agnes will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 14, 2020.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.  Due to the renovation project at Sacred Heart Church, Father Michael Ocran will celebrate Agnes’ Mass of Christian Burial in the funeral home’s chapel at 12:00 noon.  Immediately following, interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising.  Masks will be required, and the funeral home staff will be assisting with social distancing required by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Agnes’ family will direct memorials to the Munising Public School Special Education Program.