Cecilia Joan Becker Schmitz, 79, Freeburg, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, at Boone Hospital in Columbia.
She was born Oct. 17, 1941, to the late Henry and Gertrude (Richter) Struemph in Freeburg.
She was a 1959 graduate of Fatima High School in Westphalia.
Cecilia was married to Robert Joseph “Bob” Becker Sept. 26, 1964, in Freeburg. He preceded her in death Jan. 29, 2001. She was united in marriage to Donald Schmitz Sept. 30, 2006, in Freeburg. He survives at the home.
Cecilia worked for over 30 years for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a Data Entry Clerk.
She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Freeburg and the American Legion Auxiliary. Cecilia enjoyed social events including dancing and hosting parties. Her greatest love was her family especially her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by parents, Henry and Gertrude; first husband, Bob Becker; sisters, Marie Ortbals and Loretta Klein; and brothers, Bud, Emil, John “Honse” and Jim Struemph.
Cecilia is survived by husband, Donald Schmitz of Freeburg; children, Mark and Carrie; step-children, Kimberly and Michelle; grandchildren, John and Emma Becker, Tony Swarthout and wife Melanie, Jake and Olivia Swarthout, Miles and Mila Brandt; great-grandchild, Dallas Swarthout; sisters, Kate Wegman of Wasco, Calif., Elizabeth Stratman and Teresa Buschmann, both of Freeburg; and in-laws, Janet Struemph of Fennley, Nev., Marilyn Fowler of Linn, David Struemph and wife Linda and John Becker and wife Linda, all of Jefferson City and Sister Esther Becker of St. Louis.
A Mass of Christian burial was held Saturday, Oct. 9 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Freeburg with the Rev. William D. Debo officiating. Interment was in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Holy Family Catholic Church or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Arrangements entrusted to Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home in Westphalia.
Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
