Mary Elizabeth Clayshulte

Mary Elizabeth Schweer Clayshulte, 89, of Las Cruces passed away on Thursday January 30, 2014 at Good Samaritan Village after a period of declining health. Born on October 10, 1924, she was the only child of Vena Koester Schweer and Artie Carlyle Schweer. Mary grew up along the banks of the Mississippi river and told stories about playing with the Gypsy children who would caravan through Cape Girardeau. She attended Cape Girardeau High school where she received top honors and was a member of the National Honor Society. After graduation Mary attended college in Cape Girardeau and majored in art and interior design. Her college career was cut short during WW2 when she was recruited by the FBI to work in Washington, DC. Due to her father's failing health she left the FBI and returned home to Cape Girardeau. Her father was advised to move to a warmer climate so he sold the farm and moved the family to California. While working at a war plant in California, Mary met her husband, Zane Clayshulte of Mesilla. They were married in 1945 and raised two children. Her husband's work required the family to move between the east and west coasts several times. While living in the New York area Mary's favorite pastime was collecting and restoring old discarded furniture. From this she developed a life-long interest in collecting and restoring antiques. During the times when the family lived in the mild climate of California, Mary enjoyed gardening and maintained a collection of prize winning orchids. She also served as a volunteer at the Catholic Church and hospital. After Zane's death in 1974, Mary became an avid bridge player and world traveler. She took her children and grandchild on many exotic adventures. She moved to Las Cruces in 1998 to be near her son and his family. Mary was a devout member of the Catholic Church and proudly sponsored her granddaughter, Amelia, for Confirmation. Mary is predeceased by her husband, Zane Clayshulte. She is survived by her daughter and devoted care-giver, Mary Ann Clayshulte of Las Cruces, her son, Zane Keith Clayshulte (and wife, Margaret) of Las Cruces, and granddaughter, Amelia Mary-Frances Clayshulte of Carrboro, NC. Mary also leaves behind her dear childhood friend, Margie Hildebrand, of Cape Girardeau, MO. PDF Printable Version