Lillian Elizabeth Schoenthal

Lillian Elizabeth Bieri Schoenthal, age 92, passed away February 9, 2013 at California Care Center. She was born the youngest child of Ulrich and Sophia (Reuszer) Bieri at their home on the prairie, west of California , Missouri on November 5, 1920. Her early years were spent growing up and working on the family farm. She completed the eighth grade at High Prairie School and on April 7, 1947 she married Roy Edward Schoenthal and spent the rest of her life on their farm north of Jamestown, Missouri. Roy died on April 26, 1990. Lillian is the last of her family to pass, having been preceded in death by her parents and her brothers and sisters Martin Bieri, Ida Bieri, Frank Bieri (Mary), Ruth Rohrbach (Emmet) Edwin Bieri (Lena), Henry Bieri (Clarice), Frances Karr (Ray), Ralph Bieri (Gertrude), and Esther Bieri. Lillian was a homemaker and working partner with Roy on the farm. She spent her days tending to livestock, helping in the field, gardening and milking her beloved Guernsey cows. She had a special knack in raising and caring for orphan pigs and calves and devoted however much time it took to keep them going. She was a wonderful cook and host. There was always food on her table for anyone who came to visit or just stopped by. No one was a stranger at her house. She particularly enjoyed sharing her rich Guernsey ice cream, Christmas candies and brownies with rich milk, coffee or sweet iced tea. Not having any children, Lillian and Roy helped raise many nephews and nieces also their children and treated and loved them as if they were their own. "Aunt Lillian" was a special person to those adopted nephews and nieces and provided many life-long memories that will not be forgotten. Lillian kept and cared for her mother and several siblings in her home in later years and her house was a favorite gathering place for family members to visit and spend time. As her own health failed in later years, she had several "phone friends" that were helpful in looking out for each other. Lillian and Roy were active members of St. Paul's Evangelical Church in Jamestown. Outside of the time spent at home and on the farm, Lillian helped with church and community activities in Jamestown and was extremely supportive of community projects. She will be missed by all who knew her. Funeral services were held at St. Paul's Evangelical Church, Jamestown, Tuesday, February 12. Burial was in the Evangelical Cemetery, California, MO. Memorials are suggested to the St. Paul's Evangelical Church Kitchen Fund. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.rollfuneralhome.com