Alma Caroline (Kroeger) Schwartz

Alma Caroline (Kroeger) Schwartz, 94, Palmyra, Mo., passed away at 10:57 a.m., Sunday, June 13, 2021, at her home.

Alma was born March 14, 1927, in Palmyra, to George Henry Kroeger and Anna Mae (Bockhold) Kroeger. She was married to Harold J. Schwartz on Feb. 15, 1949, at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Palmyra. He preceded her in death on Nov. 1, 1990.

Survivors include her children, Cecilia (Jim) Daniel, Herbert (Alice) Schwartz, Rose Marie (Phillip) Mudd, Pauline (Rick) Jones, Robert Schwartz, Helen (Larry) Huber and Gloria Schwartz; her daughter-in-law, Janet Schwartz; her grandchildren, Dahna McClelland, Shiloh (Pam) McClelland, Mandi (Bub) Lucas, Denise (Troy) Allen, Michele Daniel, Mark (Leah) Daniel, Amy (Brad) Riffle, Jenn Murphy, Mary Beth (Brock) Decker, Kelly Schwartz, Elizabeth Beguerie, Kane (Melanie Benefield) Mudd, Nicholas Mudd, Joe (Annie) Jones, David (Alisha) Jones, Adam (Stacey) Jones, Beth (Barry) Bigelow, Steven (Triston) Jones, Tim (Jenn) Huber, Samantha (Shawn) Barnes and Ashley (Barrett) Roush; 47 great-grandchildren, expecting three more this year; and five great-great-grandchildren, expecting one more in a few weeks.

 Alma was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Paul Schwartz; one infant son, Joseph Schwartz; one grandson, Brian McClelland; two great-grandchildren, Anne Bigelow and Xavyer Jones; and her siblings, Sylvester Kroeger, Ida Mae (Kroeger) Corey and Ralph Kroeger.

Alma was a full-time homemaker, mother and grandmother. In Alma and Harold’s early years of marriage, she helped out on the farm.

Alma attended Salem School to the 8th grade where she also played the harmonica. 

She enjoyed quilting with her mother and sister and was a wonderful cook. She took pride in preparing big meals and pies for her loved ones. Around town, she was known as the “Pie Lady”. She always donated pies to the Flower Children Spring Fling and her pies would sell for as much as $1,000! She loved telling that story. 

Every August, she wanted Gloria to bring her slow-pitch softball team appropriately named “Playin’ for the Pie” that would come to play at the MDA tournament. She always made sure they had all the pie they could eat and then some. She loved this weekend and looked forward to it every year. 

Alma loved singing and shared that love of singing with her children. You could catch her yodeling on occasion. Alma loved her life and her family. 

She was always up for a good game of kickball or wiffleball. You could find her at the ball field watching her kids or grandkids playing ball. She loved going for long rides and was always up for going no matter where you were heading, whether it be to dinner or a family vacation across the country.

Alma was a member of St. Joseph Altar Society, St. Joe Caterers and the American Legion Auxiliary. She also delivered meals for the Palmyra Nutrition Center’s Meal on Wheels Program and volunteered for many years at Maple Lawn Nursing Home.

Alma was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church where she was a Eucharistic minister. She also took communion to the shut-ins and nursing home residents.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Friday, June 18, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Palmyra. Father Matthew Flatley and Deacon Bob Leake will officiate. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Palmyra.

Pallbearers will be Landon Lucas, Mark Daniel, Brock Decker, Nick Mudd, Joe Jones, Tim Huber, Shawn Barnes and Steven Jones.

Honorary pallbearers will be Alma’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great- grandchildren, and the players of the “Playin’ for the Pie” slow pitch softball team.

Friends and family are invited to Alma’s life celebration at a visitation that will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, June 17, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra.

Memorials may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery Fund or Community Loving Care Hospice.

Online condolences may be made at www.lewisbrothersfuneralchapel.com.