In Memory of Jimmy C. Schumacher

Jimmy C. Schumacher, age 85, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Monday, August 24, 2015, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 28, 2015 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa.  Private family committal services will be held at the Ida Grove Cemetery, of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com 

Jimmy Craig Schumacher, Ida Grove

Jimmy Craig Schumacher, 85, was a loving son, brother, husband, father and friend. He left this world on August 24, 2015 on his own terms, surrounded by the love of his family and longtime friends. In his final days, he continued to enjoy sharing stories of his past with laughter and a sense of a life well-lived.

Jim was born on September 8, 1929, outside of Correctionville in Rock Township, Woodbury County, Iowa.  He was the eldest of four children born to Lester Raymond Schumacher and Helen Mae Mahin Schumacher. He graduated from Battle Creek High School in 1946 at the

 age of 16.  Jim served his country as a member of the 101st Airborne Division from 1951-53.  After boot camp Jim returned to Battle Creek on the back of a motorcycle to marry Beverlyn Jane Spotts on October 3, 1951.  Following Army service, Jim and Bev (referred to affectionately as Punky) settled on a farm south of Ida Grove to raise their family of five children.  Jim would fondly recall this time as some of the best years of his life.

Jim farmed until retiring in 2006 at the age of 77.  Jim served his community in many ways including seven years on the Ida County Fair Board and five years on the First State Bank Board of Directors.

Jim was an avid fisherman and spent many vacations on the lakes of Minnesota and Canada.  His most adventurous vacation was a fishing trip on a tributary of the Amazon River in Brazil and his most memorable vacation was a road trip to Alaska with Punky.  A few of his other favorite pastimes were golfing, playing cards, socializing with friends, escaping the Iowa winters to Rockport TX and Saturday morning breakfast in Battle Creek. 

Jimmy is survived by his special friend Linda Martin of Ida Grove and his five children: Linda (Mike Klein) Kepford of Logan, IA; Neil (Kim Farley) Schumacher of Columbus, NE; Dale (Brenda Wienert) Schumacher of Ida Grove; Jan (Vern) Wunschel Ida Grove; and Ann (Brad Larkin) Schumacher of Galveston, TX.  Also surviving are his sister Judee (Wayne) Schumann of Anthon, IA; sister-in-law Rachel Hammer of Ida Grove; fourteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife Beverlyn, his parents Lester and Helen, sister Beverly Hupke, and brother Jary.