Jeanne Elizabeth Schumacher, 75, of Napoleon, ND, passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2024 in Rochester, MN surrounded by her loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, September 6, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Napoleon. Visitation will be held Thursday, September 5, 2024 from 5:00 -7:00 PM with a rosary/vigil service at 7:00 PM at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. Burial will be held at St. Philip Neri Cemetery.

Jeanne was born on April 21st, 1949, to Lawrence and Evelyn (Ringwall) Mertes, the youngest of three children. She grew up and spent her formative years in Bowbells, ND graduating from Bowbells High School in 1967. She attended Mary College, now known as the University of Mary and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1971. As a registered nurse she worked at the Kenmare Hospital, The University Medical Center in SLC Utah and the Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. In 1976 she moved with her husband to Napoleon where she worked at the Napoleon Care Center for 37 years, retiring in 2013.

She married Gary Schumacher from Napoleon in 1972, and they spent the first four years of their lives in Elgin, ND. In 1976 they moved to Napoleon, ND and later purchased the family farm located east of Napoleon where they lived until today.

She had a great love for classical music and animals, especially horses and dogs, namely dachshunds. She enjoyed reading, sketching, painting, and writing stories which eventually developed into a hobby of writing and illustrating children's books. Her books were written about farm life using her children and grandchildren as characters in each book. The grandchildren had input of ideas and suggestions about the content of the stories. Her children and grandchildren were her most cherished relationships in her life.  She was so very grateful for each of them and would often tell the grandkids "You are the light of my life!"

During her lifetime she was a member of The Prairie Apartment and Ambulance Boards, The ND Jayceettes, National MDS Coordinators Association (AANAC), and Christian Mothers. She was a member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, was active in teaching CCD and RCIA classes, and served as a eucharistic minister. She supported Gary, studied and attended all formation weekends and classes with him as he prepared for the diaconate from 1998 to 2004. After retirement, she enjoyed reading and playing Mahjong with her lady friends on a weekly basis. She also enjoyed playing cards and board games, (especially UNO, checkers & chess) with her grandchildren.

Jeanne is survived by her husband Gary Schumacher, Napoleon, ND; three children, Bryan (Keri) Schumacher, Strasburg, ND, Dustin (Ginger) Schumacher, Salt Lake City, UT, and Stacy (Jason) Carney, Rochester, MN; grandchildren, Chozey Schumacher, Mallory Schumacher, Trypp Schumacher, Pablo Montoya, Alora Schumacher, Jacob Carney, and Grace Carney; one great grandchild, Chosen Schumacher, son of Chosey; step grandchildren, Dillon and Jazmyn Muntefering, DeAnna Turnupseed, Cera (Chase) Mullins and Aubree (Kris) Pendleton; step great grandchildren, River Turnupseed, Cash Joe Mullins and Carter Sean Mullins; one sister, Sandy Siemers, Mandan, ND; one brother, Greg (Pam) Mertes, Bowbells, ND; brother-in-law, Ron (Shiela) Schumacher; sisters-in-law, Linda Sprague and Shirley (Jim) Fettig; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Evie Mertes, father-in-law Ted Schumacher, mother-in-law JoAnn Schumacher, brother-in-law Robert Sprague, grandparents and all her aunts and uncles.

In lieu of flowers memorial can be giving to St. Philip Neri Catholic Church.

Livestream of Funeral Mass: https://www.youtube.com/@st.philipnerinapoleon