Family Tree
The people who came before Elizabeth, and the family she helped build.
Grandparents (Paternal — Stamer)
Gerhardt George Frederick Stamer
b. February 23, 1858 — Oldenburg, Niedersachsen, Germany
d. May 5, 1946 — Mt. Olive, Illinois
Grandparents (Maternal — Schmeltekop)
John Schmeltekop
b. abt. 1877 — Indiana
d. May 7, 1942 — Mt. Olive, Illinois
Worked on farms and at Buske Trucking. Came home on weekends to be with the children after his wife Ida passed. Had a stroke and passed away in 1942.
Parents
Fredrick John “Fritz” Stamer
b. March 27, 1898 — Rosemond, Illinois
d. September 23, 1933 — Litchfield, Illinois
Ida Anna Emma Schmeltekop
b. April 1, 1899 — Holland, Indiana
d. April 2, 1932 — Mt. Olive, Illinois
Passed away suddenly, leaving Elizabeth, Harold, and Lucille young. Aunt Anna Rebber came and raised all three children in her place.
Elizabeth Anna Schoen
August 26, 1920
Born at home. Her mother was canning chili sauce that afternoon.
Wilfred J. Schoen
b. July 18, 1920 — Mt. Olive, Illinois
d. January 9, 2015 — Staunton, Illinois
2014
Siblings
Harold Stamer
Attended trade school in St. Louis, worked in Mt. Olive, enlisted in the army.
Lucille Ida Stamer
b. August 14, 1924 — Mt. Olive, Illinois
d. December 19, 2005 — Litchfield, Illinois
Went to Granite City for nurses training after high school.
Children
Marilyn J. Willows
Ronald Schoen
Kenneth Schoen
Notable Figures
People who shaped Elizabeth's story in lasting ways.
Anna Rebber
Came first to raise Elizabeth's mother as an infant after her mother died. When Elizabeth's mother passed in 1932, Anna came again — staying to raise Elizabeth, Harold, and Lucille all through their childhood. In Elizabeth's own words: “She was mother & father to the three of us.”