ONTARIO - Betty Helen Schumacher, age 85 of rural Ontario, WI passed away on February 16th, 2024 at Tomah Health Hospital. During her hospital stay, she was surrounded by the love of her family.
Betty was born April 4th, 1938 in Vernon County to Freda and Edwin Hunter. She lived in Vernon and Monroe County throughout her life. In January 1956, she married her high school sweetheart, Ralph “King” Schumacher. They had three children--Gary, Johnny, and Theresa.
Throughout her life, Betty was a hard worker. As the wife of a farmer, she helped on the farm, raised her children, and always worked outside of the home as well. Betty held various jobs including Tillman’s Produce, Monroe County Infirmary, Hillsboro Hospital and the Hillsboro Parachute Factory. She eventually found herself at Northern Engraving where she worked for nearly 30 years before her well-deserved retirement.
Most importantly, Betty was a devoted mother and beloved grandmother and great-grandmother. You could often find her cheering on her grandkids at sporting events, attending their school picnics or banquets, and supporting them in everything they did. She loved them deeply and was so proud of all of them. There is no doubt that Betty was an exceptionally strong woman and has instilled that trait into her family. She will be dearly missed.
Betty enjoyed traveling and took many special trips with her sister Lois. Some of the most memorable included trips to Washington DC, Yellowstone, and California. Her husband and her were frequent spectators at horse pulls and horse sales and looked forward to going to the sale in Waverly, Iowa each year. She enjoyed reading and spending time outside looking at flowers and hummingbirds. A huge Packer fan, Betty enjoyed watching every game and cheering for her favorite team. She especially loved Brett Favre and collected lots of Packer memorabilia over the years for her special Packer room.
Betty is survived by her children Gary Schumacher of Ontario, WI, Johnny (Naida) Schumacher of St. Augustine, FL, and Theresa (Ed) Nichols of Sparta, WI; her grandchildren Justin (Vicki) Nichols, Ryan (Theresa DeCraene) Nichols, Tara Nichols (Zach Fudge), and Mikayla (Will) Schumacher-Payne; and great-grandchildren Levi, Madelyn, Castiel, Harper, Khaleesi Nichols, Ellie and Sophie Hanson; her siblings Lois Blaha, Robert (Babe) Hunter, Ralph (Melinda) Hunter, Jim (Jennifer) Hunter, and Victoria (Don) Clemmerson.
She is preceded in death by her husband Ralph “King” Schumacher, her parents Freda and Edwin Hunter, and her sisters Doris Schumacher, Mabel Winchel, and Arlene Blaha.
The family would like to thank the staff at Tomah Health Hospital for the exceptional care they provided Betty and her family.
Per Betty’s wishes, there will be a private graveside service at a later date.
The Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro is assisting, for online information go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com.
Picha Funeral Home
