Mary Louise Astell

MARY L. ASTELL 91, of Jefferson passed away on Sunday October 30, 2016 surrounded by her loving family at Heritage Homes in Watertown. Mary was the oldest child of Harry and Esther (Winkler) Schiferl. She helped her mother care for her four siblings. Mary was the Salutatorian of her Jefferson High School class. Thanks to a late train, Mary was reunited with Jack Astell, her friend from High School, after World War II. They were married on September 16, 1952 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson and enjoyed a long, happy, and fruitful marriage. Jack preceded her in death on September 13, 2014. Mary was employed as a secretary for a law firm in Milwaukee for many years. Later she worked at Johnson Hill Press as a proof reader. She helped run the Schiferl Snow Fairy Popcorn family business. She kept a beautiful big garden and was known for her nature inspired flower arrangements and wonderful pies filled with fruit from the farm. Mary loved to sew, making clothes for the family and teaching others to sew as a 4-H Leader. Mary enjoyed a lifelong love of learning. She was always encouraging her family to read. Her interest in family history came to life in Shiftale, a memoir of the Schiferl family's journey from Germany to the present. Mary also authored a family cookbook filled with a lifetime of recipes for her children. She was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, where she belonged to the St. Ann's Society and the Council of Catholic Women. She ministered to shut-ins, bringing them the Eucharist. She volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul, where she served as the Sunshine Lady. Mary also was active in the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign. She will be deeply missed by her family. Daughters Sr. Dr. Anna Astell of Notre Dame, IN, Mary (Rich) Zore of Brookline NH, Barbara (Tom) Nelson of Monticello, Faith (Roger) Albert of Plymouth. Sons John Astell of DeForest, James (Deb) Astell of Jefferson, William Astell of Jefferson, Ben Franklin of Whitewater, Luke (Stephanie) Astell of Levenworth, WA. 13 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren. Sisters Tee Curry of Reedsburg, Rosalie Wilinski of Milwaukee. Brother William Schiferl of Jefferson. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Jack, son Paul Astell, Brother Joseph Schiferl, and sister-in-law Yvonne Schiferl, brother-in-law Tom Curry. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 noon on Thursday November 3, 2016 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson with the Rev. Thomas Coyle officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at the Schneider-Michaelis Funeral home in Jefferson with a Rosary to be recited at 3:00 p.m. Friends may also gather on Thursday from 11:00 p.m. until the time of Mass on Thursday at the Church. Mary and Jack will be buried together on Saturday November 5, 2016 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be given in Mary's name to: The Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary W284 N698 Cherry Lane, Waukesha, WI 53188 at 262-542-4384 or to Rainbow Hospice, 147 W. Rockwell. St. Jefferson, WI 53549, or 920-674-6255 The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to all of the staff at Heritage Homes in Watertown and Pastor Mark, Father Tom Coyle, and to the Nursing Staff at Rainbow Hospice. Visit, www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or light a candle in her memory.