SPARTA-Maribeth Louise (Belke) Schamens was born on January 15, 1949 to Wilbert and Kathryn (Herbner) Belke, in Sparta, WI. She passed away on October 7, 2024 at May Clinic Health System, in Sparta. Mary was the youngest of five children, and grew up on the family farm in Big Creek. The family later moved into the city of Sparta. Mari attended Sparta Senior High School. In 1968, Mari married William Schamens. Together, they had three sons; Dan, Scott, and Jeff. They eventually divorced in 1990, but remained close to spend time with their grandchildren.
Mari was very proud of her sons and was especially proud of her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed taking them fishing and reading books to them. Mari looked forward to the holidays and seeing the joy radiating through her grandchildren, as she spoiled them with gifts. Mari also enjoyed taking care of her son’s fur babies.
Mari was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbert and Kathryn Belke; sisters, Peggy Schamens and Ruth Burkwalt; brothers-in-law, Tom Schamens and Jerry Burkwalt; and sister-in-law, Phyllis Belke.
She is survived by her brother, Jerry Belke; sister, Jeanne (Roger) Ciolkolz; sons, Dan (Holly), Scott (Kim), and Jeff (Bobbie); granddaughter, Caitlin (Caleb) Wade; grandsons, Hunter Edwards, Dustin and Rhett Wilson, Brodie and Peyton Schamens; great-grandchildren, Maveryck and Briley Zebro, and Celina and Charlotte Wade; and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with Father Eric Berns officiating. Burial will follow at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Sparta.
A visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, and from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Friday at the church.
Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
