Sr. Maria Virgo Schemanske, 88, died Jan. 13 in the IHM Health Care Center.

Sr. Schemanske was born Feb. 14, 1927, in Detroit. Her parents, Stanley and Clara (Perganty) Schemanske, christened her Gertrude Clare at Sr. Casimir Parish. Gertrude graduated from Immaculata High School in Detroit and entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Monroe in 1946.

Sr. Schemanske earned degrees from Marygrove College and Wayne State University in Detroit. Her teaching career spanned 20 years at St. Joseph, Erie; St. Joseph, Trenton; St. Patrick, St. Agnes, St. Raymond , St. Rose and St. Catherine in Detroit; St. Anne, Warren; and St. Felicitas, Chicago.

Sr. Schemanske later returned to Monroe to serve as the IHM director of retirement. This began a shift in ministry to service and program direction over 20 years with Monroe Senior Citizens, Inc., and Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Monroe County.

Sr. Schemanske is survived by her cousin Elizabeth Reiha; and nieces Joyce Schemanske and Janet Schubring; as well as her sisters in community. She was preceded in death by her brothers, George and Erwin; and sisters, Shirley Carroll and Esther McDonald.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 19 at the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe. Burial is to be in St. Mary Cemetery on the Motherhouse Campus.