Mary G. Schaap, 56, of Elkhart Lake, was called home by her Lord and Savior on July 26, 2024, at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice in Sheboygan Falls, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born December 16, 1967, in Oconto to William and Ida (Forcier) Siebert. Mary graduated from Sheboygan South High School with the Class of 1986 and went on to receive her nursing degree from Viterbo University in La Crosse.
On July 6, 1996, she was united in marriage to Michael Schaap. They celebrated 28 wonderful years together and were blessed with two children, Gabrielle (fiancé Karch Swaylik) Schaap of Hawaii and Dylan Schaap of Elkhart Lake.
Mary enjoyed a fulfilling career as a Registered Nurse at Aurora Sheboygan Medical Center.
Having a strong faith, she was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Elkhart Lake. Her faith was very important to her, and she was drawn to The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Champion, WI. It was one of her favorite places to visit, a place where she was at peace and her faith was replenished.
Mary’s family was her pride and joy. She loved spending time with them and was always supportive of everything they did. She was a girl scout leader for many years and a true “dance mom”, there for all of Gabrielle’s competitions and events. So many lasting memories were created over the years that will be truly cherished by all. Mary also enjoyed pilates, traveling and cleaning. In fact, her family would tease her that if she didn’t have a vacuum in her hand, she wasn’t happy. Mary loved being outdoors where she would spend time hiking, boating, kayaking and walking. When she was first diagnosed with cancer, she was walking in a sunflower field. In one section all the sunflowers were turned down except for one. Mary took that sunflower as a sign of strength, beauty, light and peace. The sunflower represented Mary’s zest for life and fighting spirit ever since.
Along with her husband and children, Mary is survived by her mother Ida Siebert, two sisters Cheri (Chuck) Mauer of West Bend and Shelly (Alan) Hiebing of Cape Coral, FL, her in-laws Dick and Lorraine Schaap, brothers-in-law Jeff Pribek and Mark (Laura) Schaap, and sister-in-law Lisa (Tom) Jansen and her fur baby Luna. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Mary was preceded in death by her father William Siebert, two brothers Mark and Greg Siebert, and two sisters-in-law Lori Pribek and Linda Schaap.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 29, 2024, at 12:00 noon at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 94 N. Lincoln St., Elkhart Lake, with Fr. Subi Thomas officiating. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Monday, July 26, 2024, from 10:00 AM until the time of mass at the CHURCH.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, 4047 Chapel Dr. Champion, WI 54229 in Mary’s name.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Froedtert West Bend and Milwaukee, the staff of the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center, and to the staff of Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for their care, compassion and support.
Please visit our website to share your stories and leave your condolences for the family www.reinboldfh.com
Hello Michael and family. I'm Michael Muhs brother of Tom Muhs. My brother told me of the loss of what I see was a beautiful wife, mother daughter and sister. I am so sorry to hear this. My brother often spoke of you and your wonderful family. We will keep you in our prayers and thoughts.
I just heard of your loss, I am so sorry to hear this. May God be with you and give you strength during this hard time.
Mike, I just learned of Mary’s passing and I am so very sad to hear that.. Mary was always so much fun and full of life. I can still hear her laughter. You and your family have my deepest sympathy.
I just heard the sad news.
Mike, Gabrielle and Dylan, you have my deepest sympathy.
My condolences to you, Mike; and to your children. The nicest people go too soon.
Mike and family...you are all in my thoughts. Mary was always so much fun at Christmas parties! Always a shining light of fun and positivity! She left the world way too soon, but touched so many lives while she was here.
I was so sorry to hear about Mary's passing. You have my deepest sympathy. I would never be able to thank her enough for her support of my Mom when she was sick with cancer. I'm sure my Mom was somewhere in line to greet her and give her a hug in heaven. What a wonderful person.
Since we were in candy stripes together in 8th grade, our lives never stopped intersecting; I will always count myself blessed to have had Mary as my friend, and I will never look at another sunflower without thinking of the light she was in our lives. With love and friendship always!
So sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. I have only known her a short time but always enjoyed her smiling face and delightful energy in Pilates class. She will be missed. Thoughts and prayers are with her family. Sending love and light 🙏🏻
I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. As our neighbors, she found out my wife, Kathy was battling cancer too. She was such a beautiful person to Kathy, with prayers, texts and visits. She lifted our spirits with her kindness. Mike and Mary showed me so much kindness after Kathy’s passing. She was a beautiful human being.
I am filled with sorrow to hear about Mary’s passing. I was lucky enough to dance with Gabby through our high school years and Mary was a “Dance Mom” through and through. She never missed a game or competition, and was our biggest cheerleader. I wish the family comfort during this incredibly difficult time, but I know she will always be with you ❤️
The laughter, so many laughs we all had together. I will miss that the most. The bravest, toughest, kindest person I’ve ever known. I know you’ll be watching over all who loved you. Rest easy my friend.
Our 🌻 Sunflower…. you spread happiness, love and faith wherever you were. The morning you became an Angel, a cherry red sunflower bloomed in my garden. I did not plant this flower but noticed it growing amongst my other plants a couple of weeks ago and it just grew like crazy. I know it was a sign from you🌻😇 when it opened up. i went to the Shrine also the same day and lit a candle for you. And now my precious, beautiful Cousin… it’s your “Time to Fly” 💕🙏🌻 love and miss you. Mel
I am grateful to have met you in Augusta, Ga. Your light shown bright and I was taken by your positivity and kindness. I know that your heavenly light will continue to shine on your family and loved ones 🌻
You will always be in my memories Mary, as my happy place in the salon. When ever we spent time together there, you made my day better. We had beautiful, funny and deep conversations that I will always cherish. I loved our “birthday celebrations “ we put together at our appointments-cheese and crackers and always a little wine…good thing we made you the last appointment of the day.
I will cherish these memories forever friend. You blessed my life with your faith and beauty. ♥️
The day you passed, you painted the sky with the most beautiful colors & I knew it was you. You always believed in all the little signs and I know you will continue to be there and show me that you are. I love you, mom.
You were such a bright light in this world; a light that will continue to shine on your loved ones. 🌻
I was sitting on the back deck this morning and a hummingbird swooped in by one of the plants on the deck. I knew it was you. Love you and will miss you.
