Born in Potulice, Poland; Marianna Gertrude ("Mary") was the older of two children born to Jan Ignatz & Eva (Weyland) Gbur.

On 20 February 1870, Mary first married Anton Dyx in Slawianano, Poland; she was age 17, he was 25. Born in Slawianawo, Poland; Anton & Mary immigrated to America in 1873. They arrived in Baltimore on 24 Mar 1873, having set sail from Bremen, Germany on the S/S Leipzig. Anton & Mary initially lived in Milwaukee, WI and then moved to Wauwatosa, WI.

Anton changed the family name to DEEKS during these first years. He died in 1881 in Milwaukee County, WI at age 37.

CHILDREN:

-o- Dominic (1872-1929)

-o- Andrew Charles (1874-1954)

-o- Anastasia A. {"Stashia"} (1875-1943)

-o- Anton Joseph (1878-1956)

-o- John L. (1879-1938)

-o- Mary A. (1880-1921)

In 1882, Mary second married John Schmidt in Milwaukee, WI; she was age 30, he was 40. Born 7 September 1842 in Germany; John died 8 June 1909 in Manitowoc, WI at age 66.

CHILDREN:

-o- Anna (1882-1962)

-o- Martha (1884-1949)

-o- Emma Catherine (1885-1970)

-o- Rose (1888-1943)

-o- Julia (1891-1969)

-o- Bertha (1893-1894)

A homemaker & mother of eleven suerving children, Mary died at age 65.

From her obituary (Manitowoc Daily Herald):

MARY SCHMIDT; DEATH CLAIMS OLD RESIDENT OF CITY TODAY

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Death came to end a lingering illness for Mrs. Mary, widow of the late John Schmidt, her death occurring at the home of her son, 946 North Eighth street, this morning. Mrs. Schmidt was born May 10, 1852 and had resided here upward of 40 years.

"She is survived by four sons & seven daughters; Dominic and Andrew, this city; Anton and John in Montana; Mrs. August Fensky, Mrs. Arthur Rathke, this city; Mrs. John Schneider, Wausau; Mrs. Wm. Junk, Athens. The funeral will be held Thursday morning from Saint Boniface church."