Mary Louise Schmadeke

Mary Louise Schmadeke, age 77 of Cedar Falls, died Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Western Home Communities Martin Suites in the presence of family. She was born May 28, 1947, in Newport, Vermont, the daughter of Perry and Louise (Burns) Goodsell. Mary graduated from Waterloo West High School in 1965. She received a BA from the University of Northern Iowa in Vocational Home Economics. On August 28, 1968, Mary was united in marriage to Ronald Schmadeke in Waterloo. After marriage she taught at Orange High School in Waterloo. She then ran her own business, Teddy Bear Home Day Care before working at Child Care Resource and Referral of Northeast Iowa in Waterloo. She retired to provide childcare for her grandchildren. Growing up she cherished her time with her grandmother where she developed her compassion for others. Mary enjoyed all types of crafts. She attended a weekly ceramics club when her children were young. She continued to be creative for many years creating her own children’s birthday cakes, stamping and making blankets for her grandchildren. Mary battled Dementia for over a decade. Dementia may have taken many of her memories, but it gave her an enthusiastic sense of humor. The disease never took away her true calling to take care of others. Even in her final days, she told others of her love for Jesus. Mary is survived by her husband, Ron Schmadeke of Cedar Falls; her daughter, Kristal (Ben) De Jong of Cedar Falls; her son, Dean (Tracey) Schmadeke of Cedar Falls; four grandchildren, Jake Schmadeke, Kaleah De Jong, Adeline De Jong, and Lauren Schmadeke, brother, Dean (Susan) Goodsell of Cedar Falls and brother-in-law Gary (Louise) Schmadeke of Westfield, IN. She was preceded in death by her parents. Mary requested not to have a service as she did not want others to dwell in her passing, but honor who she was. The family would like to provide an immense THANK YOU to Martin Suites at the Western Home who cared for her and showed her a great amount of love. They would also like to thank St. Croix Hospice for compassionately caring for her during her last months on this earth. Online guestbook at www.richardsonfuneralservice.com. Memorials may be directed to the family to be redirected to assist in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Mary Louise Schmadeke

May 28, 1947 - March 8, 2025