Monica M Schumacher

Monica Schumacher, age 91, of Elizabeth, Illinois passed away Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the Galena Nursing Home, Galena, Illinois. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 23, 2018 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Elizabeth. Burial will be in the Elizabeth Cemetery. Visitation will be held 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 22, 2018 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Elizabeth.

Monica was born February 7, 1927 in Freeport, Illinois, the daughter of Elmer and Mabel (Beetley) Ehredt. She was raised on the family farm near Elizabeth. Monica later lived with her Grandma Ehredt in Elizabeth so she could attend high school, graduating with the Class of 1944. On May 15, 1947, Monica married the love of her life, Wayne M. Schumacher. They raised five children and celebrated 68 years of marriage, until Wayne’s passing on January 7, 2015.

Monica loved being a Mom and Grandma. She liked to sew and made many outfits for her kids as they grew up. Monica’s kitchen was the center of her home. It was filled with her chicken-themed collectibles and the wonderful aromas of her cooking and baking. Monica was known for her delicious pies and cream puffs. She also spent many hours around the kitchen table, baking cookies and playing games with all of the kids. The same table saw many Scrabble and card games with family and friends. But family always came first. In her later years, Monica would say, “It is my grandkids that keep me going!”

Monica worked for the Savanna Army Depot while Wayne was in the Navy and then for the Jo Daviess Services Co. She stayed home to raise her children, but tried to keep up on her famous bowling league average until it ended abruptly when her 2nd child would not accept her absence for one evening a week. Monica later worked several years for Betty’s Variety Store and then Coil Electric in Elizabeth. Monica was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Outside of family, Monica’s greatest passion was being a Chicago Cubs fan.

Monica will be dearly missed by her four daughters, Sue Schumacher of Iowa City, Iowa, Sally Gilligan of Dubuque, Iowa, Shirley (John) Rosenthal of Galena and Sharon Wand of Elizabeth; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson; and a sister, Charlotte Dittmar of Galena. Monica is preceded in death by her husband Wayne; son, Donnie; her sister, Myrtle Palmer; two brothers, Leroy and Ward; a son in-law, William Wand; and one great-grandson in infancy, Cole Spoerl.