She was born May 30, 1926 in Laharpe, KS. Elizabeth is the daughter of the late Dalton and Joy Johnson, both of Iola, KS. She was the younger of two girls. Her sister, Virginia Zook of Sioux City, IA was Elizabeth’s closest friend. Virginia passed away in 1974.
Elizabeth was a graduate of Iola High school, and worked at Pet Milk Industries in Iola, KS. The remainder of her career was in the HVAC industry as an office manager. She married Francis L. Schumacher on August 4, 1946. She and Francis were married for 69 years before he passed away in 2015. Elizabeth and Francis were very active members of Christ United Methodist Church for 50 years. They were faithful, loving greeters at the door every Sunday, always introducing themselves to anyone they didn’t know and warmly welcoming everyone. Making donations to the food pantry was part of their calling to serve others. Elizabeth and Francis’ Sunday School Class, The Journeymen, was the cornerstone of their faith community.
In retirement, Elizabeth and Francis hit the road. They adventured to Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, and the Caribbean. Spending time with each other was easy because they were best friends.
When it came to grandchildren, Elizabeth and Francis were over the moon in love with these little people. Making bread in the bread machine, baking chocolate chip cookies, playing in the garden, going bowling, picking tomatoes and cucumbers, and spending the night for your birthday was part of the memories they created.
Elizabeth is survived by her two sons, Steven (Diane) and Alan (JoAnn) Schumacher, both retired and of the Kansas City area. She is survived by four grandchildren, Krista Castro, Mary Elizabeth (Rob) Monnig, Jacqueline (Drew) Kurlowski and John (Lauren) Schumacher. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren: Andrew Monnig, Luke Monnig, Libby Monnig, Olivia Kurlowski, Paige Kurlowski, Robert Taylor, Antonio Hernandez, and Laken Castro. Elizabeth has one great-great granddaughter, Chloe Luna. Elizabeth is survived by her two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Flora Whisler, and Ms. Willa Schumacher, both of Olathe, KS.
A visitation for Elizabeth will be held on Thursday, May 20th, 9:00 am at Christ United Methodist Church, 14506 East 39th Street, Independence, MO. 64055. Immediately following, a funeral service will be held at 10:00 am. Burial in Floral Hills Cemetery, Kansas City, MO.
The family appreciates all the love and support of The Groves Retirement Community where Elizabeth lived the last four years, and made many dear friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church.
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