Arlene S. Schumacher

Arlene Sadie (Mark) Schumacher passed away on December 31, 2025 at 103 years 9 months and 13 days. Her children were with her when she started to journey to the Grand Reunion. She was residing at Bay Harbor of LaCrescent aka Springbrook Village in LaCrescent, MN.

She was born on March 18, 1922 to Rudy and Elsie (Boldt) Mark in Mound Prairie Township on South Ridge. She was their third child. Around the age of 3, the family moved to LaCrosse, WI., where she grew up and went to school.

She met Edwin J. Schumacher on a blind date arranged by her cousin, Ray Boldt. I was told they went bowling on that date...and bowling was in their lives for many decades. They were married on March 6, 1948. After their marriage they moved to South Ridge and lived with his brother and wife, George and LaVonne, until they purchased the South Ridge General Store in November, 1953 which ran until 1966 when it was closed.

Arlene then went to work at the LaCrescent Nursing Home, in many different areas. Her last position was as Historian and other office tasks. She had tried retiring at 65. That lasted only a couple of months. ”You can only dust so much” so she went back to the Nursing Home and they were thrilled to have her back. She turned in her resignation a couple of times and it was returned unaccepted until the year she turned 80, it was finally granted.

Arlene could always find something to keep her busy. Her mornings began early, so she had quiet time to read her Bible and devotionals. Then when the newspaper arrived with the mail delivery, the crossword puzzle was high on the priority list. Which was worked on while taking a little time out for “The Price is Right”.

Some of her other enjoyments were bowling on league, Wednesday nights, at the Shamrock Lanes in LaCrescent until its closing. She then joined a group of ladies bowling on Tuesday mornings at the PlaMor Lanes in LaCrosse, WI. Where she enjoyed her sport until age 90. During her bowling career she earned many trophies and awards.

In the evening she could be found knitting while watching TV with Ed, reading her favorite author, working on a jigsaw puzzle in front of the big window in the living room, she would usually have one in progress on the card table in front of the big window in the living room. Another enjoyment was playing her organ. As she would say “for her own amusement and amazement”.

The union of Ed and Arlene, were blessed with and survived by 3 children: Margaret (Peggy), Thomas (Tom) & Nancy. Over time, 6 grandchildren were added: Lisa, Steven(Penne), Laura(Randy), Liz(Khris), Jonathan(Bonnie) and Philip(Jill). The next addition was 13 great-grandchildren: Zach, Mason, Paige(Collin), Erik(Tess), Kylie, Katie(Wes), Jack, Sammi, Taylor, Sawyer, Eleanor, Gabriel, and Isla, and 1 great-great-grandson, Graham. We also want to acknowledge her bonus daughter, Joan.

Arlene is also survived by 3 cousins and many, many nieces and nephews.

She will be truly missed by all who were privileged to have been in her life over the many decades.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin, May, 2015. Her parents, Rudy and Elsie, her in-laws, John & Mary, her 3 siblings and their spouses, her 7 brothers and sisters in-law and their spouses. Arlene was the last member of this generation of these two families.

A huge Thank You to Richard for his undying devotion to Mom to bring her communion and mediation nearly every Saturday for the last decade plus.

We, as Arlene’s family, would like to extend our Thanks and Gratitude to staff and management at Springbrook Village for the care and concern given to Mom during her residency with you.

We also want to extend a heartfelt Thank you to Mom’s St. Croix “CareTeam” Hospice group. I know Mom appreciated your visits and the special touches that you added to her life quality. In the end time you were there for all of us. Thank you does not seem like enough. God bless you and the service you provide to families.

The family will receive friends and family from 9:30-11:00 AM, Friday, January 9, 2026 at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home in La Crescent, MN followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery in La Crescent.