Wayne R. Schumann

Wayne R. Schumann

1937 – 2025

ANTHON - Wayne Robert Schumann, 87, was carried to Heaven in God’s arms on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, from the Willow Dale Wellness Village in Battle Creek.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Anthon, Iowa. Pastor Marty Davis will officiate. Interment will follow at the Mount Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek. Military Rites will be conducted by the McNiff Post No. 389 of the American Legion of Anthon, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove. 

The Christensen-Van Houten & Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Homes of Ida Grove and Anthon, Iowa, are in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com or www.armstrongfuneral.com 

He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, and will be remembered by many.

Wayne was born on Dec. 1, 1937, in Odebolt, the only child of Irene (Vierick) and Robert Schumann. He graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1955.

On March 16, 1957, he was united in marriage to Judee Rae Schumacher in St. Joseph, Michigan, one day after his graduation from the U.S. Naval Training Center as an electronics technician. They moved several times, and settled in Virginia. Their first daughter, Joni, arrived at the Naval hospital in Norfolk. Beth was born in Iowa before long, and the family moved to a farm northwest of Ida Grove. Jay and Amy then arrived to complete their family.

In 1969, the family made their last move to “the hill” farm northeast of Anthon, Iowa, where they enjoyed raising crops and livestock, gardening, and woodworking. Wayne was a gifted woodworker and made the first set of kitchen cabinets for their Anthon home. Later, a pond was created, a cabin built, many trees planted, and fish stocked. Wayne built a small dock and had a boat and fishing poles always ready. Several years of heron families were followed as they nested atop a tree in the pond. Beavers were strongly discouraged, but provided tales to tell. The cabin was a retreat enjoyed by family and shared with many friends over the years.

Wayne also enjoyed restoring several IH letter series tractors. Red Power magazine was particularly prevalent around his recliner. He also had a great love of dogs and was delighted whenever he found a competition to watch on TV. Other than dog and farm shows, music from the Lawrence Welk era was particularly entertaining. He and Judee also shared many special memories of trips to Europe, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and an Alaskan cruise. Dad particularly enjoyed relating stories of the places they visited and the many people they met.

Wayne served his Lord faithfully and in many capacities, including president, trustee and elder at Trinity Lutheran Church. An alto saxophone player, he was a member of the Anthon Community Band for several years and had fun performing around the area. He also served his Anthon community for a time as a rural mail carrier. He and Judee volunteered and supported the Okoboji Church Camp and other non-profit service organizations throughout their lifetimes.

Left to cherish Wayne are four children: Joni Schumann of Correctionville, Iowa, Beth (Greg) Hayworth of Norwalk, Iowa, Jay (Sheryl) Schumann of Hampton, Iowa, and Amy (James) Tepper of Tampa, Florida; 10 grandchildren: RaeAnn (Tyler Van Peursem) Ketelsen, Ryssa (Gary) Todd, Jenni (Mark) Landry, Joel (Rebekah Nesbitt) Hayworth, Dane (Jennifer) Schumann, Jayna (Andy) Hofer, Kale (Sophie Michaels) Schumann, Valerie Routt, Austin (Cierra Childs) Routt, and Shelby (Dylan Wynn) Routt; and 16 great-grandchildren: Ali, Cora, and Dylan Todd, Cayden and Conor Landry, Ryan and Rachel Hayworth, Henry and Gavin Schumann, Oliver, Everett, Beverly, Harvey, and Sullivan Hofer, Alister and August Schumann; cousins Barb (Gordon) Foss, Kay Werner, and Arla (Ron) Kramer.

A Heavenly reunion with Judee (which might include a polka dance!), his parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and all of God’s faithful servants is being celebrated.