Obituary of Martha Schemmel

Martha Schemmel, long time resident of Johnson County, died Monday, February 21, 2022, at Highland Ridge Care Center in Williamsburg, Iowa. Martha was born July 17, 1928, to Alvin and Elsie Maske Hightshoe. She graduated class valedictorian from Cosgrove Consolidated High School in 1946, and began her 56 year teaching career at Green Valley #9 that same year. She wed Melvin Schemmel January 20, 1960. In pursuing her education, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1965, and her master’s degree from Northeast Missouri State College in 1970. The cornerstones of her life were her faith, her love of family, her passion for teaching and the nurture of every green and living thing in her gardens. And all of this rich life she shared with Melvin, her husband of 62 years. She laughed easily. She loved unconditionally. So many lives were touched by her gifts, gifts that those who knew her cherished long after those gifts were obscured by the veil of dementia. Martha is survived by her loving husband, Melvin; daughters, Barbara Chipman (Alan) and Karen Leigh; grandchildren, Chris Chipman, LTC Angela Chipman (Seana Jardin), Jennifer Olson (Adam), and great grandsons Robert and Gabriel; sisters, Mary Seydel and Lorraine Turnipseed and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and their spouses, Wayne and Dorothy Hightshoe, Clarence and Alda Hightshoe, Helen and Marion Marine and Dick Turnipseed . Private family services are being planned through Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation service with burial to take place at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Martha’s memory to Zion Lutheran Church of Iowa City. To share a thought, memory or condolence please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com. Our family wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to the staff at Highland Ridge Care Center for their compassionate care and support