Schemmel, Rosa Isabelle (Gresham) 93, passed away February 26, 2018, in Mission Viejo, California. She and her husband, Louis Charles Schemmel, had relocated from Wichita, Kansas to California in 2010 to be closer to several of their daughters living in the southern California area. Rosa was born in Ware Shoals, South Carolina on October 9, 1924 to Bessie Belle Hill and Claude Gresham, Sr. She had three sisters and one brother and is survived by her sister Ruth Gresham Bedingfield. After growing up in South Carolina, she lived in Washington D.C., where she worked for the CIA. She met her husband, Louis, in Virginia Beach in 1952, and they married in October 1952, before moving to Chicago and then to Wichita, Kansas. Rosa enjoyed a number of sports activities, including horse-back riding, tennis (she played competitive and tournament tennis into her 70's) and she competed in the Senior Olympics in swimming. She was a life-long animal lover, rescued and adopted many cats and dogs over the years, and was an ardent supporter of animal welfare groups. Survivors include her four daughters Lou Ann Schemmel, Diane Schemmel Goostree, Nancy Schemmel Whitney, and Patricia Schemmel Terry. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Levi and Jeremy Sternberg, Jonathan Schemmel Goostree and Emily Gresham Terry. Memorial contributions (in lieu of flowers) may be made to the Wichita Action Animal League at https://www.waalrescue.org . Condolences may be offered online at http://www.saddlebackchapel.com.

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Published by Wichita Eagle on Mar. 4, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Rosa Schemmel

13 Entries

Tess Goodman

March 6, 2018

On behalf of the Wichita Animal Action League, please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of your loved one. We can see from the comments that Ms. Schemmel was a wonderful person who blessed a lot of people as well as animals in her lifetime. We are truly grateful to be the beneficiary of memorials in her memory. Rest assured that her legacy of love and kindness will live on in the work we are able to do because she lived.

Nancy Schemmel Whitney

March 5, 2018

To: Beth,
How very thoughtful of you to leave your memories of my mom and your condolences for me and my sisters. It is so heartwarming to have my high school buds, who I haven't seen in so many years, remember our family and leave such nice sentiments. I appreciate your kind words so much. Love, Nancy

Nancy Schemmel Whitney

March 5, 2018

To Carol and Janie,
Thank you so very much for your lovely comments about my mother. It is very touching to me that you both have such nice memories of my mom after all these years. I still often think about my two best friends when growing up in Wichita--we need to catch up!! Thank you for taking the time to leave your beautiful and thoughtful condolences as it means so very much to me. With love, Nancy

Beth Schauner-Nelson

March 5, 2018

Nancy, such wonderful memories of your Mom. I loved going to your house...it was always filled with lots of animals and activity! Your mom was always so gracious. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your sisters.

Janie (Champlin) Potter

March 5, 2018

Nancy, what a beautiful tribute to your dear beautiful Mother! Growing up with you during Middle School and High School years - I saw first hand the precious respect and love that you always had for your Mother. May God give you peace during this difficult time of sorrow.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers,
Janie (Champlin) Potter

Carol Hinderliter-Cunningham

March 5, 2018

When I think of your mom, I think of a true southern lady. I loved going to your house and hearing your moms southern accent and infectious laugh. I was always in awe of her tennis playing ability and thought how she was so ahead of the times. I have such fond memories of her and your family. Sending prayers and sympathy to your family.

Diane Goostree

March 4, 2018

Diane Goostree

March 4, 2018

Diane Goostree

March 4, 2018

Diane Goostree

March 4, 2018

In loving memory of a wonderful Mom. We will love you and miss you always.

Diane Goostree

March 4, 2018

Posting photos of some of our wonderful memories of Mom--may she rest in peace.

Trish Terry

March 4, 2018

When I think of my mom, many images come to mind: I see her *Reading a book in her recliner while two big gray cat maneuver for space in her lap *Playing with two sets of American Eskimo puppies: Nip and Tuck and later, Rhett and Scarlett *Making scotcharoos with me in our kitchen *Her cool hand on my forehead through many bouts of childhood tonsillitis *Her reassuring smile when she was in the hospital with breast cancer and I was scared for her *Playing in tennis tournaments at the Wichita Racquet Club *Ballroom dancing with my father *Rocking my newborn daughter to sleep *Grieving with me as we buried beloved pets *Having coffee on the patio by the pool while we watched the birds and squirrels at their feeders. There are so many more memories Thanks for all you did for us Mom and may you rest in peace.

Nancy Schemmel Whitney

March 3, 2018

Thoughts about my mother.....I looked up the definition of Steel Magnolia and found: A Southern woman who possesses feminine grace as well as uncommon fortitude. That was our mother--Rosa Isabel Gresham Schemmel. And she came from a long line of Steel Magnolias. Mom was an exceptional person. She could excel at anything she decided to do. She was extremely smart, kind, brave, and oh so funny with her witty one-liners. My father thought he was the luckiest man alive because she had married him. As he declined after being stricken with ALS, his main concern was her future welfare and happiness. I believe that Mom's character and integrity were exemplary. She treated every person with respect and fairness. She was not a complainer, especially about how she was feeling. I think she felt it was not right to burden the listener with her problems. Towards her last days when I would ask her if she was comfortable, she'd say yes, but how about you? Of course, I'm sure that all who knew her will remember her great love and kindness for animals, which was passed on to her children and grandchildren. She told me that her mother had been an example to her, as Mrs. Belle Hill Gresham was known for tending to stray, wounded, and abandoned animals in their town of Ware Shoals, South Carolina. My mother would sometimes say to me that if there are no animals in Heaven, then she's not going! I have no doubt that she is there now with her many beloved pets around her and at peace. I love you Mom, and I honor you.

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