Catherine Irene Schumacher

Catherine Irene Schumacher, 79, of Scottsbluff, was welcomed Home on Monday, November 17, 2014 by daughter Diana Lee Clough and Catherine’s husband Robert. Catherine was born October 7, 1935 at Havana, Illinois to Ernest M. and Hazel (Murphy) Hagel. The family moved to Denver, Colorado in 1940 and later came to Scottsbluff. She graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1953. She married Donald Clough on October 9, 1953 at Scottsbluff and to this union four daughters were born. Catherine married Robert Schumacher on April 30, 1971 and to this union a son was born.

Catherine was a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol from 1950 to 1951. She was a Camp Fire leader for 25 years and founded the Fall and Winter Camporees and Jamborees. Her groups planted natural grasses at Camp Kiwanis as well as planted trees at Lacy Park, Western Nebraska Veterans Home, and Riverside Zoo. In 1984 she organized the PACE program (Parents Are Calling Everyday) in the public schools throughout the Valley having Camp Fire leaders volunteer; a standard that is still being used in the schools systems today.

Catherine taught hundreds of youth and adults the art of camping and various skills for the outdoors. She used her skills to teach 6th graders from Scottsbluff and Gering outdoor education at Camp Kiwanis for five years. She was a board member, camp trainer, and fundraiser for many years with Camp Fire. She was active in the Long Peak Council of Boy Scouts for five years and helped on many of their district camporees.

Catherine cooked for Camp Fire at Camp Kiwanis from 1973 to 1983. She cooked at Camp Cosmo (diabetes camp for children) for five years as well. She worked at Westmoor School from 1979 to 1989 as a playground supervisor. In 1989 she cooked at the Western Nebraska Veterans Home until 1992. She then cooked at the Scotts Bluff County Corrections facility until her retirement in 1999. She enjoyed selling her baked “goods” to several businesses in the area; was most known for her cabbage burgers and greble.

She loved being around her family, creating special memories during the holidays. She was an avid fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Denver Broncos, and the Colorado Rockies. She enjoyed baking, fishing, camping, traveling, working in the yard, and her dogs.

She is survived by her children: Peggy Gomez, Sandra (Rod) Sterkel, Becky (Jon) Walker, and Gary (Melanie) Schumacher; brother Virgil A. (Joyce) Hagel of Gordon; grandchildren Brandon (Kory) Gomez, Jamie Gomez (Allen George), Ryan (Crystal) Sterkel, Jessica (Levi) Anders, Courtney Heller (Matt Wynn), Lyndsey (Aaron) Rozett, Haley and Corbin Schumacher; great-grandchildren Dani and Jalynn Gomez, Serenity and Preslee Sterkel, Remmi Anders, Hadley Sterkel, Rian Baker, Xzandria and Justynn Rozett, Abby and Anna Wynn, Hailey, Cooper, Tyler, and Landon Smith; several nieces and nephews.

Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Diana, husband Robert, sisters Harnetha “Ine” Hagel, June (George) Wilson, Camilla (Glenn) Stirrat, Marita (Wesley) Wilson, sister-in-law Patricia Hagel, and her beloved dogs Happy, Taffy, and Lucy.

Her funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, November 24, 2014 at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel with Father Michael McDonald officiating. Husker attire or casual dress is requested per Catherine’s wishes. Cremation will follow the service. Visitation will be from 1-6 PM on Sunday, November 23, 2014 at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff. Online condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com Memorials may be given in care of the family.