Edith M. Schmutzler was born on February 8, 1919 in Benld, Illinois to Giovanni Mariola Rolando and Lucia Sandretto Rolando and called home on January 8, 2021. She was baptized into the Christian faith on June 6, 1931. She graduated from Benld High School in 1938. She entered the Alton Memorial Hospital Diploma Nursing program in Alton, Illinois, graduating in August and writing the Illinois exam for professional nursing to become a registered nurse in September of 1941.
Edith was married on January 7, 1942 to Dr. Kenneth G. Schmutzler in Springfield, Missouri. She began her nursing career as school nurse at Shurtleff College in Alton, Illinois and later at Burge Hospital in Springfield, Missouri in December of 1941. Upon her husband’s return from WWII, the family moved to Illinois and she continued her nursing career at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, Illinois from 1954 to 1959. In 1960, “Doc” Schmutzler was hired as plant manager by Southwest Truck Body Company and the family moved to West Plains, Missouri. Edith resumed her nursing career as school nurse for the West Plains R-7 School District in 1965 and continued through 1968 until she was asked to prepare a request to the State Board of Nursing to begin the Licensed Practical Nursing Program in West Plains. She served as the school’s coordinator and as an instructor of the program from December, 1968 until her retirement in 1988. Edith was an active member of the community and of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She was a loving, devoted and beloved mother, grandmother and aunt, as well as an accomplished seamstress, cook, and gardener who shared her gifts with her family, friends and neighbors alike. Her grandchildren were her special pride and joy and she strived to serve the Lord by her example.
Survivors include her son & wife, Kenneth & Fayette Schmutzler of Golden, Mo. and her daughter & husband, Vicki & Gaylord Gregory, Jr. of West Plains, Mo. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Terry & Shelly Cordum of Alton, Il., Jill & Herb Maddux of Elkland, Mo., Susan & Pete Stromsland of Gillespie, Il, Sandra McGuire of St. Louis, Mo. and Vincent Gregory of Miami Beach, Fl.; and five great grandchildren: Josh Hostetler, Jeremy Hostetler, Sean McGuire, Katie Stromsland and Jason Stromsland; and many nieces and nephews. Her husband, Kenneth; her eldest daughter & husband, Judy & Ken Cordum; and her seven siblings preceded her in death.
Edith donated her body to the Genesis foundation for medical research. There will be a memorial mass celebrated for her at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Plains at a later date.
