Mary Kay Schumacher

With her husband and seven children by her bedside, Mary Catharine Mary Kay Schumacher, 85, slipped gently into the peace of eternity at her home in Bismarck, on July 16, 2013, after suffering a series of strokes. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Monday, July 22, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, with Rev. Msgr. Thomas Richter officiating and Rev. Msgr. Patrick Schumacher as concelebrant. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm Sunday, July 21, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil/rosary will begin at 7:00 pm. Mary Kay was born April 11, 1928, in Gladstone, ND, the daughter of John and Maria Wax Feiler, whose families had emigrated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the turn of the century. She was educated in Gladstone and Dickinson grade schools, and graduated from Dickinson High School in 1947. She attended Drake University, Des Moines, IA, and later worked as a stenographer at West Plains Electric Co-op, Inc. of Dickinson. She married Bernard P. Schumacher in Dickinson on October 9, 1950, and the couple made their first home in Linton, ND, where he operated Barney's Jewelry. In 1956, they moved to Bismarck, continuing their retail jewelry business and raising a family of seven children. Her family was the love of Mary Kay's life, and she was a devoted and creative homemaker, sewing beautiful children's clothes and growing and canning her own vegetables for delicious meals made from scratch. Ever-patient and gentle, she encouraged her children to explore and play imaginatively, and always found time for a spontaneous adventure. She graciously welcomed everyone into her home and family. Gradually, their retail business evolved into Schumacher Jewelry Manufacturing, Inc., which produced gold jewelry for wholesale throughout the Upper Midwest and Western states. As secretary-treasurer, she worked quietly behind the scenes, and, with her brilliant knack for numbers, she managed all the accounts and financial records for the business. She loved to travel, taking many domestic and overseas trips. She waltzed in Vienna, traveled the Road to Hana in Maui, and, at the age of 75, swam with the dolphins in Florida. Until her first stroke took away her ability to write, she maintained a lively correspondence with her many friends and relatives throughout the country. She never forgot a birthday, anniversary, or any other special event. Care packages of her delicious baked creations were her specialty. She lovingly nurtured all her grandchildren, and kept them in her daily thoughts and prayers. Young children were her lifeline, and, upon retirement, she volunteered as a teacher's aide at Cathedral Grade School. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Bernard; her daughters, Marylee Scott Prebys, Paula Feiler, Rebecca Harley Engelman, all of Bismarck, Sara Schumacher Scott Maney, Minneapolis; her sons, Bernard R. Cathy Schumacher, Barry Patty Schumacher, and Thomas Tina Schumacher, all of Bismarck; 16 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert Feiler, St. Cloud, MN; many nieces and nephews, and her very special cockapoo, Bailey, who was a great source of comfort throughout her invalid years. Memorials may be given to St. Gianna's Maternity Home, 15605 Co Rd 15, Minto, ND, 58261.

Mary Kay Schumacher

April 11, 1928 - July 16, 2013