Geraldine "Gerri" Schumacher

Geraldine Theresa “Gerri” Schumacher, age 85, of Crofton, Nebraska died on Monday, March 25, 2024 at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton, South Dakota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM, on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton with the Rev. Jim Keiter officiating. Burial will be at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Crofton.  Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, on Tuesday at church with a Vigil service at 7:00 PM.  Visitation will continue on Wednesday one hour prior to services.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Crofton.

Pallbearers are grandsons: Logan Schumacher, Cole Schumacher, Travis Schumacher, Taylor Schumacher, Tanner Schumacher, Evan Hegge, Dayton Schumacher, Matt Schumacher, Chad Schumacher, Nash Schumacher, Victor Sinica, and Kaiser Sinica.  Honorary pallbearers are all of Gerri’s grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gerri was born on May 31, 1938, the youngest of nine children to Jacob and Theresa (Schoof) Kaiser in St. Helena, NE.  She attended St. Mary’s Grade School in St. Helena and Holy Trinity High School in Hartington, NE.  During her high school years, she stayed with Alex and Annie Schulte and worked at Schulte Drug Store after school and on Saturdays. After graduation, Gerri worked at Means Cleaners in Yankton, SD until she married Joe Schumacher on February 3, 1959. They lived on the family farm near Crofton where they raised 10 children. Gerri and Joe moved into Crofton in 2011.  Joe passed away in 2021.

Gerri held an hour of Perpetual Adoration at St. Rose Church every Wednesday since it started in 1998 until she was no longer able to in 2023. She was a member of St Rose Guild, Christian Mothers and Catholic Daughters of America.  Gerri worked with the lunch program at the Crofton Public School for years and was also active in the Crofton Senior Center as an officer and volunteer. Gerri enjoyed making O’Henry bars and Rice Krispie treats in all shapes and sizes appropriate for the occasion or holiday. She enjoyed playing cards with her family and friends. Her children will always remember seeing her rosaries all around the house in every room as well as in the vehicles. Her kids will especially remember all the times they prayed the rosary together in the evenings and worked in “Mom’s garden”.

Gerri is survived by her ten children: Dan Schumacher of Crofton, NE, Larry (Deb) Schumacher of St. Helena, NE, Duane (Luann) Schumacher of Bloomfield, NE, Pam (Steve) Hegge of Dell Rapids, SD, Rob (Melonie) Schumacher of Sioux Falls, SD, Tim (Cindy) Schumacher of Orland Park, IL, Randy (Morgan) Schumacher of Milwaukie, OR, Jill Sinica of Lincoln, NE, Dave Schumacher of Crofton, and Leah (Ryan) Robb of Scotland, SD; 28 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren plus 1 on the way; her sisters-in-law: Vicki Schumacher of Crofton, Dolores Kaiser of St James, NE, and Shirley Kaiser of St. Helena, NE.

Gerri was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Joe Schumacher, on September 30, 2021 at the age of 83; her parents, Jacob and Theresa Kaiser; siblings and their spouses: Andrew (Florence) Kaiser, Larry Kaiser, Gilbert (Mary Ann) Kaiser, Dorothy (Paul) Schneiders, Wilma (Elmer) Hochstein, Dick (Mary Ann) Kaiser, Mary Rose (Jack) Collier, Benny Kaiser; and in-laws Terry (Alvin) Sudbeck.