Geraldine Theresa “Gerri” Schumacher

CROFTON Geraldine Theresa “Gerri” Schumacher, 85, Crofton, died March 25, 2024, at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, S.D.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., April 3, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Crofton, with the Rev. Jim Keiter officiating.

Burial will be at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, 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.

Visitation and a vigil service were Tuesday at church. Visitation will continue Wednesday, one hour prior to services.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Crofton.

Gerri was born May 31, 1938, the youngest of nine children, to Jacob and Theresa (Schoof) Kaiser in St. Helena. She attended St. Mary’s Grade School, St. Helena, and Holy Trinity High School, Hartington. 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, S.D., until she married Joe Schumacher, Feb. 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, Crofton; Larry (Deb) Schumacher, St. Helena; Duane (Luann) Schumacher, Bloomfield; Pam (Steve) Hegge, Dell Rapids, S.D.; Rob (Melonie) Schumacher, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Tim (Cindy) Schumacher, Orland Park, Ill.; Randy (Morgan) Schumacher, Milwaukie, Ore.; Jill Sinica, Lincoln; Dave Schumacher, Crofton; and Leah (Ryan) Robb, Scotland, S.D.; 28 grandchildren; 23 greatgrandchildren, plus 1 on the way; her sisters-in-law, Vicki Schumacher, Crofton; Dolores Kaiser, St James; and Shirley Kaiser, St. Helena.

Gerri was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Joe Schumacher, Sept. 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 inlaws, Terry (Alvin) Sudbeck.