Minnesota Valley Funeral Home North Chapel is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to be sent to the New Ulm Humane Society.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, June 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Ulm with Father Nathan Hansen officiating. Burial will follow in the New Ulm City Cemetery, Soldiers Rest Section.

Visitation will be Friday, June 9, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s.

To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.mvfh.org.

Jolaine LaDonna Schmidt was born September 14, 1932 in New Ulm to Alois and Sirena (Wills) Schmidt and she attended New Ulm Public Schools. On February 26, 1949, she married Ludwig Suess at Holy Trinity Parish House. They lived in New Ulm until 1961 when they moved with their three sons to Chico, CA, and returned to New Ulm in 1965 where a daughter was born two years later. Ludwig passed away in 1993. Jolaine worked at various factories over the years, the most recent being Windings, Inc. where she was employed for over 15 years. After her retirement in 1997, Jolaine worked part-time as a home-health aide for several years and also volunteered at MRCI and the Harkin’s Store.

She is survived by three sons, Steve (Carolyn), Gary, and Mike (Jean) Suess, all of New Ulm; a daughter, Julie (Don) of Oronoco; grandchildren, Amy (Jim) Sellner of New Ulm, Brandy (Kevin) Kuck of Hanska, Mike (Amy) Suess of Fairmont, Steve (Dawn) Suess of Hutchinson, Miranda (Aran) Augustin of Eagle Lake, Alicia Hoerle of Annandale, VA, Brian (Abby) Hoerle of Rochester, Jason (fiancé Maggie Grob) Hoerle of Oronoco and Kristina Hoerle of Oronoco; great-grandchildren Bailey Peterson, Zachary (Keri) Schiller, Trinity Suess and Josie Sellner, all of New Ulm, Anthony Suess of Lester Prairie, Jessica Herzog (Zach Thomas) of New Ulm, Brice, Tara and Josh Blake, all of Fairmont, Jaden and Kash Suess of Hutchinson, Theo Hoerle of Rochester, a great-great-grandson, Bryson Suess of New Ulm, two great-great grandchildren on the way, and a brother, Charles “Butch” Schmitt of Los Angeles, CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister, Kathy.

Many wonderful family memories were made with Jolaine at various lake cabins in Minnesota. After her retirement from Winding’s she traveled more extensively, going as far as Alaska, Jamaica, and Mexico. Jolaine always looked forward to attending milestone celebrations of her descendants and making themed candy mints for them. Several family members were able to celebrate her 90th birthday with her last year at the home of her oldest granddaughter. She enjoyed Little House on the Prairie, Shirley Temple, Classic Country music, garage sales, and listening to the birds, especially wrens.

Jolaine’s many hobbies included collecting dolls and spoons from her travels, assembling photo albums with handwritten descriptions, sewing, reading, crocheting, ceramics, knitting and embroidery, using her skills to create many gifts for family and friends over the years. She also enjoyed cooking and baking, and she shared her best-ever sauerkraut and German potato salad recipes with anyone who asked. Jolaine was a fantastic cook and hosted countless holidays at her home. She planted many flowers around her home for as long as she could. Her prized peony flower was first planted in 1966 at the home that no longer stands at 405 S. Minnesota St. She moved the flower with her in 1972 to her new home on Spring St. It was relocated again last fall to Oronoco, and it is now considered a family heirloom.

Jolaine was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church before moving to California and rejoined upon her return to New Ulm, where she had been a member since. She had insisted that her children spend some of their school years in Catholic schools. She will be deeply missed. Blessed be her memory.

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