James Schumacher

James F. (Jim) Schumacher, 57, of Shelton, CT, formerly of Hampton and Ackley, passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2025 after a brief illness.

Jim was born on March 3, 1968, to Robert and Phyllis (Smith) Schumacher at Mercy Hospital in Fort Dodge, Iowa-the 13th of 15 children, and the last of seven boys. This placement in the family line allowed Jim to be special to all of the family. He was his parents' baby boy, the older siblings' baby brother, and buddy to those siblings nearest him, especially Paul. Very soon after, he was big brother, and then later, Uncle/Big Jim. Growing up, Jim loved to fish with his grandparents, find the perfect geode or agate, do woodworking projects, and to invent games to keep himself and others occupied all summer (ask Paul and Sean about the apple flicking).

That patience, attention to detail, and his scientific acumen served him well when he went to Creighton University and studied Pharmacy, graduating with a Doctorate of Pharmacy in 1992. Jim worked in pharmacies in Omaha and Fremont, NE and Sydney and Nevada, IA before moving to rural Hampton and working for Koerner-Whipple Pharmacies in Hampton and Iowa Falls. While in Hampton, Jim decided to finally do what he had wanted to do for a long time-he went to work in construction, working part-time as a pharmacist and part-time with Hofmeister Construction for 18 years.

Jim loved his family and his dog, Pete; a good Irish whisky; delving into music lyrics; the Chicago Cubs, Iowa Hawkeyes, and Creighton Basketball. And he loved Iowa. The feel of it. The smell of it. The sounds of it. He loved Iowa above all. Except one: Margaret Lee. It was obvious to all who knew them. Jim and Margaret were married at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Bayside, Queens, New York on August 1, 2020. The Pandemic diminished the size of their wedding but not the depth of their love. It was beautiful. Though Jim has died, their love lives in Margaret and all those who knew and loved them.

Jim is survived by his wife Margaret, of Shelton, CT; his mother, Phyllis Schumacher of Iowa Falls; his siblings: Deb (Craig) McGarry of Omaha, NE; Pat (Linda) Schumacher of Ainsworth, NE; Kris Schumacher of Iowa Falls; Cindy Schumacher of Omaha, NE; Beth (Doug) Gronewold, of Ackley; Anne Schumacher of Des Moines; Steve (Mary) Schumacher, of Ackley; Bob (Glenda) Schumacher, of Juniata, NE; Joe (Nancy) Schumacher, of Windsor, CO; Paul Schumacher, of Mason City; Margaret Schumacher, of Omaha, NE; and Martha Lemar, of Omaha, NE; 47 nieces and nephews; 84 great- nieces and nephews; his father- and mother-in-law, Frank and Grace Lee; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Lee; brother-in-law Stewart (Beverly Wu) Lee (Jocelyn, Adam); cousin, Jeffrey Tsai; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and close family and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his father, Robert F. Schumacher; his brother, Michael J. Schumacher; his sister, Mary Kathryn Schumacher; his nephew and godson, Benjamin M. Schumacher; and his great-niece, Rylee N. Schumacher.

Services on Saturday, May 31st

St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ackley, Iowa:

Visitation: 10:00 AM

Rosary: 11:30 AM

Mass of Christian Burial: 1:00 PM, with meal immediately following at St. Mary's parish hall.

Interment:

5:00 PM at St. Joseph Cemetery, Duncombe, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers they would like any memorials to go to the Creighton University ILAC Program.

https://alumni.creighton.edu/schumacher