Otelia Schmieg

Otelia Schmieg, age 100, passed away on April 5, 2016. Otelia (Odie) Schmieg was born September 19, 1915, to Bert and Emma Hartung of Bertha, Minnesota. She attended grade school at Immanuel Lutheran Church at Bartlett, where she was confirmed May 29th, 1929. She graduated from Bertha High School in 1933. There were three classmates at her 80th class reunion.

She married Charles Gehl of Chaska, Minnesota, in June, 1939, where they resided until 1957. Her husband suffered a heart attack, and as he was no longer able to work, they moved to their home in Hackensack. Their hobby was rock collecting, and it was in Hackensack that they decided to open up a gift shop featuring their jewelry and gifts made of agate, which they collected from many different states. Charles passed away in 1966, but Odie continued the Rock Shop work and sales. It was a very rewarding experience meeting all the wonderful people who stopped by. In January, 1975, she was married to Clarence Schmieg, a long-time friend. They continued to live in Hackensack, where Clarence passed away in December, 1992. Odie sold the Rock Shop inventory in 1983.

She spent a lot of time with her aging mother and father and the families at Bertha. She loved every family member. The Hartungs have always been a close-knit and loving family, and a family visit to Hackensack was always a very special occasion. She was justifiably proud of her beautiful yard which she had purchased in 1953 as a swamp with a river running through it. She cared for her own home and yard well into her 90's.

Odie joined Union Congregational Church in Hackensack as a full-time member after residing there in the '60's. She has served on many Church Boards and Committees and was Kitchen Chairman for many years. When you heard pots and pans rattling around, you knew Odie, Mana and their crew were planning another church dinner. They had a wonderful team and enjoyed the work. Odie served as Deaconess for many years; then due to small health problems she slowed down but always attended church functions and enjoyed life, getting out a lot. Whenever her good friend Sybil would call--Odie dropped everything and they were off in a few minutes. Dee was another one to call and off they were. Her coffee pot was always on for the many long-time friends and neighbors that stopped by.

She appreciated the visit from her nieces and nephews and her friends from Hackensack at her 100th Birthday party last fall. She and her family want to express their appreciation to the staff at Central Todd County Care Center in Clarissa, MN, for the loving care she received there during her last years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bert and Emma Hartung; six brothers: Bert Jr., Edward, Charles, Roger, twins Donald and Ronald; five sisters: Helen, Myrtle, Mildred, Irene and Verle. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Betty Hartung, and several nieces and nephews.

She will be remembered in a celebration of life at Union Congregational Church in Hackensack at 11 AM on Saturday, April 23, 2016. Her ashes will be interred near her parents at her home congregation, Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, in Bartlett Township, near Bertha.