Mary Lou Hertel, 78, Lead, passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on December 9th, 2014 at 7:00 pm.

Mary Lou "Amy" Hertel, was born on November 24th, 1936 in Dupree, SD to Hertha and Ervin Schuchhardt. She was the eldest of 14 children and lived a very busy life on the Schuchhardt family farm, where she learned to be a keeper of the home and to care for her family. She graduated from Dupree High School in 1954 and went on to graduate from the South Dakota Beauty Academy in Sioux Falls in 1955.

She married the love of her life, Norman, on April 7th 1956. Together, they had five children, Michael, Debra, Scott, Mark, and LeAnn and blessed with nine grandchildren.

Mary was an avid quilter and was the anchor of the quilters at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church where she was a lifelong member of the church. Besides quilting, Mary's other hobbies were embroidery and crocheting. She loved gardening and valued the beauty of flowers, which lead to her service as treasurer in the Lead City Beautification for many years. Mary was a stay at home mom and supplemented family income by cutting hair and giving perms to family and friends for many years. In 1978 she started working Lead-Deadwood School Corporation and retired after 20 years of service. Mary also loved to cook and is known for her delicious raspberry pretzel salad and pumpkin custard. She served her family cooking meals along with her community as a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program. Last but not least, Mary valued time with her family. She always enjoyed playing (and winning) card games, especially pinochle. She took joy in traveling to sporting and other events to support her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Norman; sons, Scott (Lisa) and Mark (Pia); daughters, Debra (Barry) Wilbourn and LeAnn (George) Vandine; grandchildren, Nathan Wilbourn, Megan Wilbourn, Danielle Hertel, Bailey Voss, Joshua Hertel, Thomas Hertel, Elizabeth Hertel, George (Alyssa) Vandine, and Wade Vandine; siblings, Donald (Luetta), Doris Schuchhardt, Alvin (Virginia), Garry, Georgia Osterholt, David (Kathy), Craig (Cher),Cathy (William) Duane, Steve (Diane) and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Michael; brothers, LaVern, Thomas, Robert, and Larry.

Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 PM on Sunday, December 14th at the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, December 15th at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Lead. A memorial has been established in her name to Hospice of the Northern Hills.

Arrangements are under the care of Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel of Lead.