In Memory of Verna Ree Schumann

Verna Ree Schumann, age 92, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at the UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital of Sioux City, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 11, 2022, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Rev. Richard A. Salcido will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Friday, June 10, 2022, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church 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 at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Verna Ree Schumann, the daughter of Clarence and Herbanna (Abbott) Burton, was born on October 1, 1929, in Ida Grove, Iowa. She grew up on a farm and at the age of 8 her father was killed in a tragic farm accident. Her mother remarried Otto Ferguson. Verna received her education at Ida Grove High School and graduated with the class of 1948.

On April 3, 1949, Verna was united in marriage to Leonard O. Schumann in the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The couple made their home on Leonard’s family farm northwest of Battle Creek. They were blessed with five children: Larry, Jacki, Lyle, Joy, and Joleen. Verna enjoyed being a homemaker raising her children, tending to her large garden, and raising her chickens. After Leonard passed away in 1971, Verna remained on the farm for a few years before eventually moving to Ida Grove in 1976.

Verna was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who treasured family gatherings and holidays. She will be remembered for being a great cook; especially her fried chicken, potato salad, and cherry pie. She enjoyed traveling, reading, tending to her flowers, and attending the many social events and fundraisers in town.

Verna was a faithful and devoted member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Battle Creek and eventually St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ida Grove. She was actively involved in teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, junior fellowship, and ladies aide over the years.

Left to cherish her memory include her children Larry (Linda) Schumann of Arthur, IA, Jacki Kalina of Highlands Ranch, CO, Lyle Schumann of Schleswig, IA, Joy (Maynard) Ohl of Norfolk, NE and Joleen (Jim) Robinson of Storm Lake, IA; 12 grandchildren: Aaron (Amanda) Kalina of Highlands Ranch, CO, Sheri (Michael) Jungman of Parker, CO, Lyle Lee (Amy) Schumann of Cherokee, IA, Nathan (Sarah) Schumann of Waterloo, NE, Laura Schumann of Wilmington, NC, Christian (Cassie) Ohl of Norfolk, NE, Caleb (Rosie) Ohl of Omaha, NE, Jared (Jenna) Ohl of Omaha, NE, Jacob (Erica) Ohl of Omaha, NE, Chad (Candace) Kelley of Beaver Lake, NE, Shane Kelley of West Chester, OH and Whitney Robinson of Sioux Falls, SD; 18 great-grandchildren: Maverick Jungman, Sadie Jungman, Graysen Schumann, Samsen Schumann, Hudsen Schumann, Rowyn Ohl, Samson Ohl, Isabelle Ohl, Caiden Ohl, Dawsey Ohl, Gage Kelley, Mya Kelley, Cole Kelley, Jace Kelley, Mason Kelley, Tessa Kelley, Kaya Allen, and Jayden Mehuron. She is also survived by sisters Connie Ferguson of Carson, IA, Elaine Strong of Ida Grove, IA, Cathy (Rod) Ballard of Guthrie Center, IA and Beverly Tipling of California, MO.

She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard Schumann; father Clarence Burton; her mother and stepfather Herbanna and Otto Ferguson; great-grandchildren Hunter Jungman, Lane and Allison Kelley; and brothers-in-law Walt Strong and Jerry Tipling.