Margy Lou Schowe, 90, of Union, passed away July 26 surrounded by family following a short illness.
Born Margy Sprick on May 15, 1934, in Warren County, Missouri, to Virginia (Fort) and Vernon Sprick, she married the late Herbert Schowe in 1953 and had two children, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her biggest joy in life was spending time with friends and family. She was an active community member and served Zion United Church of Christ since 1955.
Growing up in Warrenton, she attended grades one through four at Warrenton Elementary School before moving to the one-room Sunnyside School for fifth through eighth grades. She graduated from Warrenton High School in 1952. When her future husband, Herb, asked her to a picnic near Warrenton, she ultimately said yes – a decision that led to the two being inseparable for 67 years of marriage. Herb passed away in October 2020. Margy was married to Herb at Frieden’s Evangelical and Reformed Church in Warrenton, Missouri, on June 7, 1953. Later that day, both Margy and Herb sang in the church choir. A one-year work assignment turned 30-plus-year career for Herb at the Missouri Farmer’s Exchange led to his new bride and him moving to Union in 1954. Margy worked for Carp’s Department Store in Warrenton and Union for 7 years, Nelson’s Department Store for 4 years and, after her kids were older, Bade’s Shoe Store for a decade. She also helped at the MFA during harvest. She often volunteered her time at Zion, serving in a variety of leadership roles and as a Sunday school teacher. Margy also loved embroidery and quilting and worked on dozens of quilts. But her children and family were her focus.
Margy is survived by son Kevin Schowe and wife Donna, of Fenton, and daughter Jane Gulledge and fiancé David Meyer of St. Charles. She is also survived by sister-in-law Judy Sprick of Warrenton. She is survived by four grandchildren: Melissa Womack and husband Jarod of Fulton; Matthew Schowe and wife Mallory of Bristol, Connecticut; Michael Gulledge and wife Kathleen of Troy; and Joseph Gulledge of Des Peres. Margy had four great-grandchildren: Adley and Hudson Womack of Fulton; Bailey Gulledge of Troy; and Giada Schowe of Bristol.
She was proceeded in death by parents Virginia (Fort) and Vernon Sprick, husband Herb, brother Larry Sprick, sister Betty Lichtenberg and husband Herschel, brother Loudon Sprick and grandson Jason Schowe.
Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, with a funeral service following at noon, both at Oltmann Funeral Home, Union, led by the Rev. Nicholas Knoblauch. Burial will follow at Zion United Church of Christ Cemetery in Union.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Victorian Place of Union for the excellent and loving care she received. Memorials are preferred to Zion United Church of Christ or Shriner’s Hospital.
The Showe family is served by Oltmann Funeral Home in Union.
