Ma was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 13th, 1934, to Helen and Charles Kist. She graduated from Mt. Healthy High School and received her nursing degree from the Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Cincinnati. She married her high school sweetheart, Tom (Pops), and remained married for 52 years until he passed in 2007. Ma worked in various hospital operating rooms and physician offices throughout her career.
Ma and Pops moved to Brentwood, Tennessee in 1973. Raising four children, she set an incredible example of hard work and integrity. She was a selfless mom. She used her nursing skills on her children often and was always the last one to go to bed and the first one up. Ma was compassionate and full of life. Everyone was welcome in her home. In 1992, Ma and Pops moved to Mount Juliet, TN and opened a family fun center, Cedar Creek Sports Center, which still operates today.
She adored her 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Besides being with her family, she enjoyed cooking, desserts, chatting with friends, sports, being outdoors, and the sunshine. She achieved a life-long dream when she built a swimming pool in her backyard in the late 1990’s. Her home was the gathering spot for family and friends. She also loved the beach and had some of her happiest moments there.
Throughout her life, she was blessed with amazing health. She lived independently at home through her 88th birthday. She was always courageous, strong and selfless. Ma had a knack for stealing people’s hearts from the moment they met her. Goodness is not merely a matter of what we know or what we do; it is a matter of what we are. Ma was the epitome of Goodness.
Ma is survived by her children Donna (George) Ogilvie, Danny (Wendy) Schunk, and Jimmy (Patti) Schunk; grandchildren Rachel (Jonathan) Drake, Adam (Meaghan) Ogilvie, Kendall Schunk, Jason Schunk, Blake Schunk, Curtis Schunk, Carter Schunk, and Carson Schunk; great grandchildren Emersyn Drake, Finley Drake, Griffin Drake and June Ogilvie; brother Don (Shanon) Kist and Ken Kist; nieces and nephews Todd Kist and Tanya Kist.
Mrs. Schunk is preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years Thomas Schunk, her son Bob Schunk and her parents Helen and Charles Kist.
The family would like to say a very special thank you to the Golden Years caregivers, Typhanee, Blanchie, Diamond and Irma. Because of their compassionate care, these four special ladies immediately became a part of our extended family. A special thanks also to Peyton from Alive Hospice. She quickly became not only our nurse, but a friend to Ma and the entire family.
Gathering of Family & Friends on Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 10:00am until 12:00pm at Hermitage Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will begin at 12:00pm in the Tulip Grove Room at Hermitage Funeral Home. In Lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to St. Jude and Alive Hospice. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Schunk family at HermitageFH.com.
