Judee R. Schumann

Judee R. Schumann

1938 – 2024

BATTLE CREEK - Judee Schumann, 86, of Battle Creek, (formerly of Anthon), passed away on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Anthon. Pastor Marty Davis will officiate. Interment will follow at the Mount Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek.

A Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove. Visitation will resume the following day at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Anthon.

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

Judee Rae (Schumacher) Schumann, 86, was carried to Heaven in God’s arms on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 from Willow Dale Wellness Village in Battle Creek.

She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Her living faith, limitless compassion, kindness, grace, and love of her family and friends will be remembered by many.

Judee was born on June 14, 1938 in Cushing, the third of four children born to Helen (Mahin) and Lester Schumacher. She graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1956.

On March 16, 1957, she was united in marriage to Wayne Robert Schumann in St. Joseph, Michigan, one day after Wayne’s graduation from the U.S. Naval Training Center as an electronics technician. Their first year moved them to South Carolina, Florida, and back, and finally to Virginia. Their first daughter, Joni, arrived at the Naval hospital in Norfolk, a story which Judee loved to tell, as Joni was almost a hallway delivery with many other soon-to-arrive babies.

Beth was born in Iowa before long, and the family moved to a farm northwest of Ida Grove. Beth got a little more attention than she wanted with a burst eardrum, requiring a memorable, painful shot!

Jay and Amy were born to complete their family. Both seemed to have a little trouble getting lost, but both happily were found. After frantic searching, Jay was found in the machine shed listening to the birds. Amy took another tact and left a note, and ran away to the end of the lane, returning after some thought, being ignored by her brother, and her note that was not found until years later!

In 1969, the family made their last move to “the hill” farm northeast of Anthon, where they enjoyed raising crops and livestock, gardening, and woodworking. A cabin was built that was enjoyed by family and shared with many friends over the years as well.

Judee served her Lord faithfully and in many capacities. She taught Sunday School and Pre-Catechism for many years, prepared Braille lessons for the church synod for 25 years, led a women’s Bible study, and volunteered and supported the Okoboji Church Camp and Orphan Grain Train.

She continued her education later in life and earned a B.A. degree in business administration. Judee also served in many community activities including service on the Anthon-Oto school board, and work as a farm liaison. She shared her joy of writing through many interesting stories for readers of the local newspaper. Judee was a frequent visitor to anyone she knew living in a nursing facility or alone.

Judee and Wayne shared many special memories from their trips to Europe, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and an Alaskan cruise.  

Judee walked many miles around the farm, enjoyed golfing, and couldn’t be kept off of a sled in the winter! She shared an interest in quilting, church banners, and genealogy with Joni. Her family relished her homemade milkshakes, and she enjoyed bantering with Jay over the years, and especially at Christmas time over how many Spritz cookies she would be baking for him.  She loved all board games, and shared a lifelong game of Chinese checkers with Beth, and backgammon with Amy.

Left to cherish Judee, are her husband, Wayne of Battle Creek, their four children, Joni Schumann of Correctionville, 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) Routt, and Shelby (Dylan Wynn) Routt; and 15 great-grandchildren, Ali, Cora and Dylan Todd, Cayden & Conor Landry, Ryan and Rachel Hayworth, Henry and Gavin Schumann, Oliver, Everett, Beverly, Harvey, and Sullivan Hofer, and Alister (plus one on the way) Schumann.

A thunderous Heavenly reunion with her parents, siblings, nephews and all of God’s faithful servants is being celebrated.

Services: Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 10:30 a.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, Anthon

Burial: Mount Hope Cemetery, Battle Creek

Christensen-Van Houten & Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Homes

Ida Grove • 712-364-2727 / Anthon • 712-373-5235