Anna Mary, daughter of Nicholas Recktenwald and Elizabeth Weiand, was born on 31 October 1862 in Shakopee, Scott County, Minnesota. She was baptized 30 November 1862 at St. Mary of the Purification Church in Marystown, Scott County, Minnesota.(Archives of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul)

About 1868, when Anna Mary was a young child, the Recktenwalds moved to St. Cloud, Stearns County, Minnesota for about a year and a half. In 1869, the family then moved to a farm in Hartford Township, Todd County, Minnesota. By age 17, Anna Mary was living with her married sister, Margaret Sieloff, and her sister's family in Rockford, Wright County, Minnesota. At that time, Anna Mary was working in a woolen factory.

On 10 February 1883, Anna Mary (age 20) married Michel Charles Shoneberger (age 21), son of Johann Schoneberger and Anna Maria Weiand, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. (Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1920) Anna Mary and Michel's son, John George, was born in 1884 in Chicago.

Sometime after the birth of John George in 1884, the family moved to Perham, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Later, they moved to Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota. Friends in Perham were not forgotten, as the Jamestown Alert reported on 16 June 1887: "M. C. Shoneberger will spend Sunday at Perham, Minn., among old friends." Apparently, shortly after this trip to Perham the family moved to Park Rapids, Hubbard County, Minnesota where Michel owned and operated a harness shop. Twins, Anna Kathleen and Marguerite, were born in 1895 in Park Rapids. Marguerite died in infancy.

On 26 May 1934, Anna Mary died in Park Rapids. (Minnesota Deaths and Burials, 1835-1990) On her death certificate, Anna's parents are misidentified as John Recktenwald and Margaret Weindt.

Anna's obituary reads: "A Well Known Resident Called. Park Rapids Mourns Loss of Mrs. M. C. Schoneberger; Lived Here Since 1887; Funeral Services Tuesday. Though not wholly unprepared, Park Rapids and the entire community mourn the passing of one of its beloved citizens Mrs. M. C. Schoneberger being called Saturday morning at her home in the city at the age of 71 years, death following an illness of four months duration. During her long illness a trained nurse, also the daughter Mrs. Stark were in constant attendance and everything that medical skill, devoted care and human hands could do was done along with many prayers to prolong her stay on earth. She would rally and hopes would then be entertained for her recovery, but the strain proved too great for her strength and the frail thread of life parted and another precious soul gathered by its maker. Anna Mary Recktenwald was born October 31, 1862 at Shakopee, Minn., a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John [Nicolas] Recktenwald. There she spent her early life, at the age of twelve [age about seven] years moving with her parents to Long Prairie and three years later went to Chicago, Ill., where she made her home with an aunt. On February 15 [10], 1883 she was married to Michael C. Schoneberger. They lived in Chicago, at Jamestown, N. D. and at Perham, Minn. On July 2, 1887 Mr. Schoneberger came to Park Rapids and in August of the same year Mrs. Schoneberger and three year old son George joined him here, making the trip from Verndale, the nearest railway station over the oil mule team stage route. Mr. Schoneberger owned and operated a harness shop many years during the early days. Mrs. Schoneberger took her part in the social life of the city working in the different women's organizations. For many years she engaged in the art of dress making being a splendid needle worker and modiste. She was a member of St. Peter's Catholic church being one of the oldest contributing members and had always been an untiring and willing worker in its different organizations. She was a member and officer of the Women's ……….., and of the Royal Neighbors of America being Chaplain of the latter order at the time of her passing. On February 15, 1933, Mr. and Mrs. Schoneberger celebrated their Golden wedding anniversary in which relatives, near friends and neighbors assisted, the event being one of the long remembered social events in our little city. In her home life Mrs. Schoneberger was a faithful devoted wife, mother and grandmother, her whole life being dedicated to her loved ones, who were ever the center of her attention and there was nothing that she could do for their comfort and pleasure that was left undone. She was a wonderful neighbor and friend always ready and willing to aid in time of sickness and sorrow. She leaves the record of a life filled with generous and kindly acts and of thoughtfulness for those with whom she associated and worked. The cherished memory of the gentle devoted wife and mother will live forever in the hearts of the husband, children and grand children. Surviving are the devoted husband and companion of one-half century, the son George of this city and daughter [Anna] Kathleen (Mrs. Grant Stark) of Lake Crystal. Another daughter, Marguerite, a twin of [Anna] Kathleen died in infancy. There are six grand children, Barbara Ann, Patricia and Michael Stark of Lake Crystal and Mary Ann, Ruth Louise and Joseph Charles Schoneberger of the city. Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at 9:30 o'clock at St. Peter's Catholic church, Rev. J. P. Frank officiating at requiem High Mass. The spacious edifice was filled with sorrowing friends and neighbors who came far and near to pay the last respects to this gentle lady whom they had known for almost a half-century. A large funeral cortege followed to the last resting place, St. Peter's catholic cemetery, where interment took place under the direction of undertaker H. O. Polkestad. Relatives from away attending the services were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Cannon, Wm. Recktenwald and Mrs. Catherine Brick of St. Cloud. Herman Vennewitz (nephew) and Mrs. H. Theils of Sauk Centre, Mrs. Harper Wakefeld (niece), West Union, Albert and Raymond Recktenwald (great-nephews) and Mrs. Rilla (Aureila) Stevens (niece), Hibbing, MN."

St. Cloud Times also reported on Anna's funeral: "TO ATTEND FUNERAL – Mrs. August Brick (cousin), William Recktenwald (brother) and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Cannon(niece and her husband), left this afternoon for Park Rapids to attend the funeral of Mr. Recktenwald's sister, Mrs. M. C. Schoneberger which will be held Tuesday."

Anna's husband, Michel C., died on 20 January 1936, also in Park Rapids. They are buried together in Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic Cemetery in Park Rapids.
Bio by K. O'Brien