Michael Lee Schuetz

Michael Lee Schuetz, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on Jan. 25, 2025. He was 77. Mike was born on June 29, 1947, in Sioux City, Iowa, the 11th of 12 children of Joseph and Justina (Goergen) Schuetz. He attended Heelan High school in Sioux City and later Benedictine College and Iowa State University, where he graduated in 1971. In 1969 Mike married Frances Bingert and they eventually had four children together. Mike was an architect, involved in projects from sports stadiums to airports and residential re-designs. He also had a passion and skill for woodworking and furniture making, crafting everything from children’s toys and furniture to a unique two-sided coffee table. Being part of a large brood, Mike was interested in his extended family history and spent years tracking down far-flung documents to trace the clan’s journey over generations back to Germany. In 1981, the family moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, when Mike took a job with Saudi Arabian Airlines. Although Fran and the kids returned to the US five years later, Mike continued to work in the Kingdom on and off over about the next 15 years. After settling down in the US again, Mike bought a house on Lake Lotawana, in Missouri. Though still friends, he and Fran divorced over time, and Mike married Marita Abner in February 2009. Ever the tinkerer, Mike loved fixing things from computers to cars and everything in between, and working with his kids and grandkids on crafts, halloween costumes and science projects. He enjoyed skiing – a pastime he shared with his family – and cycling, riding in several MS150 events and sometimes commuting by bike to work. He treasured the occasional motorcycle ride and even tried skydiving. Mike also loved being on the water, and fixed up a pontoon boat to spend days on the lake. In the later years, he could often be found birdwatching with Marita. Those are some of the things Mike did, but who he was, was simply amazing. An extremely generous and patient person, he always offered to help and never complained. He was humble to a fault. Mike was a quiet man, efficient with his words but always ready with a witty pun or silly joke. He was an inspiration to us all, and will be missed immensely. Mike is survived by his wife Marita and his ex-wife Fran; his four children: Molly (John Carreyrou); Katrina (Brad) Eaton; Emily (Rich) Hodges and Nikolaus (Shelby Smith), his sisters JoAnn Weston and Gert (Jon) Sargent and his brother Jim (Carol) Schuetz. He also leaves behind six grandchildren – Sebastian, Jack, Francesca, Isaac, Thomas and James, many nieces and nephews and dear friends. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Larry Schuetz, Bernice Schuetz, Kathleen Port, Dorothy Huebsch, Raymond Schuetz, Joseph Schuetz, Mary Kollschegg and Ronald Schuetz. A celebration of life ceremony will be held Saturday, Feb. 1, from 1 p.m to 3 p.m. at Stuart Hall Lofts, 2121 Central St., Kansas City, MO 64108. Mass for those who wish to attend is at 4 p.m. at Visitation Parish, 5141 Main St.

Michael Lee Schuetz

June 29, 1947 - January 25, 2025