Gerhardt C. Schumann, 87, of rural Grand Meadow, Minn. died on Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 from complications of a stroke at St. Mary’s Hospital where he was admitted on Saturday.

Gerhardt Conrad Schumann was born April 11, 1922 in High Forest Township, Olmsted County to Gerhardt and Deana (Balsen) Schumann. He grew up on the family farm, attended rural schools, graduating in 1940. He was married Sept. 5, 1943 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stewartville to Betty M. Hess. Following their marriage, the couple lived and farmed on the Schumann Family farm before moving to Pleasant Valley Township in 1948, where they farmed and raised their family and have made their home for the past 60 years. Schumann was a past member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Stewartville where he was baptized, confirmed and married. He was also a lontime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pleasant Valley where he was active in its Men’s Club. He served as a board member at the Farm Bureau and on the Pleasant Valley Township Board and was a a community volunteer for many years with Thrivent Financial. He was devoted to his family and his church and enjoyed playing cards, bowling, dancing with his wife and visiting with friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.
He is survived by his wife Bettt; son Payl (Sandy) of ryral Stewartville; daughter Marlene (Rev. Yerry) Cripe of Defiance, Ohio; five grandchildren, Leah (Ben) Rodriguez, Sarah Cripe, Patty (Mark) Clancy, Tom (Julia) Schumann, Ron Sonnek; five great grandchildren, Jessica, Joshua, Kaytlynn, Ariel and Zac; a sister Marion (Gene) Rowekamp of Rochester, Minn.; two brothers Henry (Luella) Schumann of Stewartville and Wilbur (Marilyn) Schumann of Rochester.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday Oct. 7, 2009 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stewartville, Minn. with the Rev. Lyle Fritsch and Rev. Ron Prigge officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday Oct. 6, 2009 at Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday morning. A burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetary in Stewartville. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville.