489. Mary Dlouhy
Dlouhy was the original name, but it was later changed to Lohe. Mary Dlouhy attended school in Lincoln Township. Her future husband, William Schmidt (later Smith) also attended the Lincoln Township school. There was 10 years difference in their ages so they were not necessarily in school at the same time. They were, however, neighbors.
After marriage, life with her husband was very hard and difficult for Mary and her children. She loved her children deeply ad did all she could to help and protect them. According to Rose's old family notes, Mary, her mother used to take walks to her nearby girlhood home accompanied by her young children. They tell of her looking through the windows and describing her life with her own family. In what was the living room, she would tell where various pieces of furniture used to be placed and of the happy times there. She would break down in tears, longing for the love and peace that she had known in that home.
Mary was a very warm, loving and tender woman. Her children and grandchildren all attest to her very maternal nature and nurturing kindness. She had beautiful deep, tender brown eyes and a warm, soft voice. She loved music and gathering with her family and grandchildren around the piano to sing songs and hymns. Her favorite hymn was "The Old Rugged Cross" which was always the last piece to be played at family gatherings.
She eventually suffered several years with breast cancer which metastasized through her body. "The Old Rugged Cross" was one of the hymns sung at her funeral. It was all the more poignant because of its symbolism in her life.
930. Stanley Jay Betlach
Biography: Stanley died by drowning.
