Eleanor Schumacher

Eleanor Schumacher passed away on October 9, 2023. She was born on December 28, 1934, to George F. Zander and Veronica (Stein) Zander in Bismarck, North Dakota. Eleanor was the fifth born of seven siblings. She lived on the family farm at Crown Butte, ND with her parents and siblings. She attended Crown Butte Country School and graduated from high school in Mandan, North Dakota. Eleanor worked as a teller at a bank in Mandan, then accepted a position at Cloverdale Meats for several years. She married Wesley Schumacher on April 11, 1956 in Mandan, where they started their family, then they eventually moved to Glendive, MT. She stayed at home to raise her family as well as sell Avon. Eleanor and Wesley farmed in Glendive for many years, and she raised a large garden and sold produce at the Farmer’s Market and Buttrey’s store. Eleanor enjoyed card and birthday clubs and bowling while living in Glendive. They lived in Glendive for many years before moving to Great Falls, MT in 1991, when Wesley was transferred with Amtrak.  Upon their retirement, Eleanor and Wesley became full time RV enthusiasts, traveling through most all of the lower states and Alaska. In Great Falls, she did water aerobics at the Natatorium and group respiratory therapy where she made numerous friends. She was known for being an avid Gunsmoke watcher and adored Matt Dillon.

She is survived by her son, Kurt (Kristi) Schumacher of Great Falls, MT; daughter, Deborah Schumacher of Oceanview, Hawaii; and her grandchildren, Granddaughter Morgan Schumacher and  Grandson Kai Schumacher, who was the pride and joy of her life; a special niece, Myra Buntin of Arizona. She is also survived by a very special person and caregiver, her angel, Tina Cunningham. The family is very grateful to Tina for the joy, compassion, and laughter she brought into Eleanor’s life. Family was always of the utmost importance to Eleanor and she was always concerned for everyone’s wellbeing. Eleanor is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wesley Schumacher; sisters, Julia Lamb, Catherine Schlosser, Sally Berger, Marie Pfliger; brothers, Thomas Zander and Larry Zander.

A funeral service will be held on October 16, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel (1410 13th St. S. Great Falls, MT). Condolences may be shared online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com