Gary Schumacher

Gary Lee Schumacher, , age 78 of Wanda, MN, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 6, 2024 at his home.  He fought a 15 month battle with cancer, and his family and several special caregivers were honored to care for him at home until his death.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 12, 2024 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Wabasso. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday at the church with a time of sharing at 6:45 p.m. Private family burial will be in the St. Mathias Catholic Cemetery in Wanda. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Gary Lee Schumacher was born on July 31, 1945 in Springfield MN to Leo and Bernice (Schunk) Schumacher and was baptized and confirmed at St. Mathias Catholic Church in Wanda.  He attended Wanda Public School in 1st grade, and then St. Mathias School in Wanda from 2nd to 8th grade. He graduated from Wabasso High School in 1963. 

After high school he served in the National Guard where he met several lifelong friends.  He worked two years in Omaha, NE where he saved enough money for his first tractor, and returned home to farm in 1968.  Farming with family was a way of life.  He started out farming with his dad and helping his older brother work the land.  In 1971 an enduring partnership was formed with his younger brother.  They farmed together for 52 years, with two grandsons and a nephew later joining the operation.  Along with farming, Gary sold seed for over 20 years which gave him the opportunity to work with many area farmers, which he enjoyed.

He met Mavis Kalkhoff at a wedding dance in Gibbon MN, and they later married at St. Michael’s in Morgan MN on August 12, 1972.  They built their family welcoming four children including a son and three daughters.  Gary loved the Lord with all his heart and he felt his primary call in life was to serve his family.  He made sure the family prayed together, worked together and had fun together.  He lovingly cared for his wife, and he was an example of love, faithfulness, humility, and work ethic to his family.  Many cherished memories were made working on the farm together, along with frequent camping and boating outings. After the kids were grown, he and Mavis enjoyed spending winters in Arizona and traveling; a trip to the Holy Land was their most treasured trip. Gary looked forward to the annual Schumacher family lake vacation, which made for an opportunity to build memories and for him to sow his kind, selfless spirit into his children, their spouses and 11 grandchildren who will carry on his legacy. 

Gary is survived by his wife Mavis of Wanda; children Troy (Angela) Schumacher of Minnetonka, and their children Caleb, Rebecca (Jonathan), Gabriel and Luke;  April (Jim) Hurley of Plymouth, and their children Zachary and Makayla; Naomi (Michael) Miller of Mound, and their children Evie and Jonah; Angela (Noah) Hoffman of Mound, and their children Nolan, Xander and Cleo; siblings Dennis (Mary Ann) Schumacher; Dean (Linda) Schumacher; Karen (Al) Dockendorf; sisters-in-law Bonnie (Dave) Mathiowetz; Denise (Ed) Kalkhoff; Claire (Dennis) Miller; LouAnn (Chuck) Gunderson; and Mary Jo (Gary) Schroeder. He is preceded in death by his parents Leo and Bernice Schumacher, father-in-law Bernard Kalkhoff, mother-in-law Louise Kalkhoff, step mother-in-law Bernice Kalkhoff and two brothers-in-law, Kenny Kalkhoff and Kevin Kalkhoff.

His character and faithfulness impacted all of us.  His favorite scripture verse was, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13