Marybeth Smidt Hemann

Marybeth “MB” Smidt Hemann, 65, of rural Stacyville, Iowa peacefully passed away on July 11th, 2023, at Mayo Clinic St. Mary’s Campus surrounded by her family following several weeks of serious medical complications.

MB was born in Rochester, Minnesota on April 30, 1958, to Arnold and Jeannette (Swanson) Smidt, the third of six children. That very same day her family moved to her childhood home in Stewartville, Minnesota. MB and her siblings were fortunate to grow up in a wonderful, close-knit neighborhood where many memories were made through the years. She was a proud member of the SHS graduating class of 1976 where she was involved in many school activities.

Following high school, she joined the workforce and also attended Winona State University and Rochester Community College. After a few years, she headed west settling in Deer Lodge, Montana where she found work, made many new friends, and had many great adventures. Although she loved those Rocky Mountains, MB came back home to Minnesota in 1984 to be closer to her family when she gained the title of “Aunt”, a role she cherished.

In the fall of 1989, MB met and started dating the love of her life, Norb Hemann of Stacyville, IA. On December 1, 1990, they were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stewartville. Norb and MB made their home in rural Stacyville, where they raised their three daughters, Hannah, Laura, and Michelle. Her girls were her greatest blessing and she proudly supported them throughout her life.  

MB’s life was significantly altered August 15, 2018 as she was involved in an automobile and semi-truck accident which left her paralyzed. Despite the many challenges that paraplegia and life in a wheelchair presented during these last years of her life, MB rose to the occasion and did not let that define her. She, along with her loving caregiver husband, Norb, and their family followed this motto: “You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.”

MB retired April 4, 2023 from the Mayo Clinic Supply Chain Department where she had worked for 22 years, including the last 7 years with her daughter, Laura. She enjoyed her career at Mayo Clinic immensely, cherishing the many friendships made and maintained with her coworkers. She was a great organizer of special events in the community, her workplace, her church, and family gatherings. MB was well known for her excellent baking, especially her delicious and detailed cakes and cupcakes. She also had a special talent for cooking, canning, and gardening. She passed her love of musical theater on to her girls; they made it a point to attend several live productions over the years. One of the greatest joys of MB’s life was when she and Norb became the grandparents of Ellie and Graham. She absolutely treasured the role of being “Grandma”. Two years ago, she adopted her dog, Annah, whom she had an instant, special bond with. Marybeth was a devoted friend who touched the lives of everyone she met with her selflessness and generosity. She will be greatly missed.

MB is survived by her loving husband of 33 years, – Norbert; 3 daughters – Hannah Hemann (Bryan Reiter, Jr.)  of St. Ansgar, IA; Laura (Josh) Bain of Stacyville, IA, and Michelle (Skyler) Hulshizer of Stacyville, IA; 2 grandchildren – Ellie and Graham Hulshizer; 2 sisters – Becky (Buck) Fredricksen and Amy (Rob) Myhrvold of Stewartville, MN; 3 brothers – David (Diane) Smidt of Stewartville, MN, Mark (Christa) Smidt of Stewartville, MN, and John Smidt of Nehalem, OR. She is also survived by many Hemann in-laws as well as a multitude of Smidt and Hemann nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Arnold and Jeannette Smidt and parents-in-law Herbert and Irene (Mueller) Hemann.

A special thank you to the staff at Mayo Clinic St. Mary’s Campus for their kindness and wonderful care MB received during these past weeks of her hospitalization and throughout her recovery and rehab following the accident 5 years ago.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 AM on Monday (July 17, 2023) at Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville, IA with Rev. David Hemann officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. A time of visitation for family and friends will take place from 2:00 to 6:00 PM Sunday afternoon (July 16, 2023) at Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville, IA and 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Monday morning. Condolences and memories of Marybeth are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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