Mary L. “Mary Lou/Minnie” Schauer, of Dubuque, IA, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Sunset Park Place in Dubuque, surrounded by loved ones.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am, on Monday, March 25th, at St. Anthony’s Church in Dubuque, with Fr. Steven Rosonke officiating. Burial will be at the East Dubuque Cemetery immediately following.  Visitation for relatives and friends will be from 3pm – 6pm, on Sunday, March 24th, at Miller Funeral Home in East Dubuque, IL, where the parish scripture service will be at 2:30 pm, Sunday.

Mary was born on June 29th, 1927, in Dubuque, IA to Al & Stella (Jochum) Beitzel. She attended St. Columbkille’s in her younger years, and worked at her father’s grocery store making deliveries. She took great pride in her work for her dad. Mary went to obtain her teaching degree at Clarke College in Dubuque. She taught several grades for one year in a one-room schoolhouse. Her “Humke Road Schoolhouse” is on display as a historical building next to the Ham House Museum on Shiras Ave in Dubuque.

She married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Schauer, on November 24, 1949, at St. Anthony’s Church in Dubuque. She remained a member of St. Anthony’s for 75 years. Mary & Bob started their family in 1951, with the birth of their first-born daughter, Sherry. Next came their son Bob, followed by Bette, Terri, Sam, Scott & Mike. With such a large family, the neighborhood children would often hear Mary Lou ringing the dinner bell to call everyone home.

Mary loved playing cards with friends, often participating in Card Clubs with friends and family. She was a fierce Euchre player, and taught many of her grandchildren how to play. Mary had a great sense of humor and a sharp wit, often found joking with family around the dinner table.

Mary was a devout Catholic, attending Mass regularly, with her & Bob making sacrifices to make sure their children attended Catholic grade school and High School. She was a member of the Power of Prayer Adoration Chapel in Dubuque.

Surviving are her children, Bob (Mary Kay) Schauer, Elizabeth Heisler, Terri (Mike) Hesselman, Sam Schauer, Scott (Jane) Schauer, Mike (Judy) Schauer, son-in-Law Gil Hinz; (26) Grandchildren and (65) Great Grandchildren; sisters, Jean (Louis) Sigwarth, Pat Jackson, and sister-in-law Elsie Beitzel.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; parents Al and Stella Beitzel; daughter Sherry; son-in-law Carl (Bette) Heisler; granddaughter Rachel Berning; brother Bob (Roseanne) Beitzel, sister Kate (Ike) Lakeman, sister Rita (Harry) Theilen, brother Pete Beitzel, sister-in-Law Mary Jane Beitzel and brother-in-Law Alan Jackson.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Power of Prayer Adoration Chapel at 1860 St. Ambrose St., Dubuque, Iowa.

Mary’s family would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque for their help with their mother.

A special Thank You to Dr. John Whalen and staff, who lovingly cared for Mom over these many years.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com