Maria Priebe Schmidt

Maria Priebe Schmidt born Dec. 17, 1931, to Natalie (Luther) and Adolf Priebe in the village of Karolinowka, near Chelm, Poland, died Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the Corewell Health Merlin & Carolyn Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph.

Maria loved to tell stories of her childhood and all she and her family went through during the war in Europe even though it was a very difficult time. She learned to sew at an early age by making dolls from scraps of material. She continued sewing for her daughter Gisela when she was born and began sewing for others when they saw what a wonderful job she did.

In December 1959, she came to America with her husband, Gerhard Krajewski, and daughter, Gisela. They settled in Benton Harbor where her parents had immigrated three years earlier. Although she couldn't speak English yet, she got a job at The Petite Shoppe in Benton Harbor doing alterations. When some of the clients asked her to make alterations on clothes they had bought elsewhere, she quit her job and started working from home, which she did for more than 60 years. Some of those clients became lifelong friends of hers and she treasured their friendship. She later married Hugo Schmidt with whom she spent many wonderful years traveling to Europe, Canada and the USA before he died.

Maria is survived by her daughter, Gisela Holtz; grandsons: Michael and Christopher Holtz; great-grandchildren: Oliviah and Luke Holtz; sister, Mia (Erwin) Justus; niece, Inge (John) Fletcher; nephews: Bruno and Wolfgang Schneider and Rich (Sandy) Frey, along with best friends: llda, Elizabeth and Eva.

Per Maria's request, there will be no funeral service. There will be an open house celebration of life memorial service at her home from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, and a graveside service for the family in Spring Run Cemetery on Monday, June 30. Please RSVP if you plan on attending the luncheon. She is happy to be home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hanson Hospice Center.