Gertrude E. Schuman
March 10, 1926 - January 27, 2020
Funeral services for Gertrude E. Schuman, 93, of White Lake, SD, were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church of White Lake, SD.
Visitation was held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church of White Lake, SD, with a scripture service at 7 p.m.
Burial was at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery of White Lake, SD.
Gertrude E. Schuman died Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, at Aurora-Brule Care and Rehab of White Lake, SD.
Gertrude E. Schuman was the third youngest of nine children born to Ernest and Ottilia (Morath) Kluthe of rural White Lake, SD, on March 10, 1926.
She graduated from White Lake High School of White Lake, SD, and went to college at Notre Dame in Mitchell, SD, where she received her teaching degree. She taught at several schools in Aurora County of South Dakota.
She married her high school sweetheart, Dick Schuman, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Dec. 31, 1945.
Gertrude and Dick farmed side by side most of their lives until they moved to White Lake, SD, and bought the propane business.
Gertrude was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church and taught CCD for many years, helping children make their first communion. She, also, was the rosary leader for her church and this was one of her favorite daily prayers. She lived by her faith and never missed a chance to attend daily
mass, if at all possible.
Anyone who visited Gertrude would find her watching her favorite TV channel, E.W.T.N. or Judge Judy.
She was a member of the altar society, Christian Mothers, senior citizens, Dakota Meals, Catholic Daughters and a charter member of the Town and County Gals Extension Club.
After Gert and Dick retired, they enjoyed many years of camping and fishing together. They went south for the winters to enjoy the warm weather.
The two took many trips, of which the Holy Land was their favorite. One of their trip adventures almost cost them their lives as they were in the middle of the Rapid City flood and by the grace of God were spared.
She was on the Price Is Right show and prayed she would not be called up to the front.
She loved to play cards, do crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, making baby blankets and maybe once in a while you might find her enjoying a casino trip with her kids or grandkids.
If you couldn’t remember a name or date, Gert could tell you.
Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Bill Schuman and wife, JoAnn of Appleton, WI, Larry Schuman and wife, Peg of Mesa, AZ, Kenny Schuman and wife, Cheryl of Mitchell, SD, Jan Kristensen and husband, Gary of Mitchell, SD, Carol Meilke of Kaukauna, WI, Jim Schuman and wife, Janice of Geddes, SD, Betty Luebke and husband, Cal of Parkston, SD, Richard Schuman and wife, Ann of White Lake, SD, Joe Schuman and wife, Wendy of Lincoln, NE, Barb Meier and husband, Todd of Kennebec, SD, and Lenny Schuman and wife, Jean of Mesa, AZ; a brother, Clem Kluthe; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Schuman and Dorothy Shottenkirk; 40 grandchildren, 68 great grandchildren, four great great grand-
children and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick Schuman in 2001; her parents, Ernest and Ottilia Kluthe; a daughter, Sherry VanLankveldt in 2019 and her husband, Gene in 2003; sisters, Barbara in infancy, Irene Beckman, Teresa Rossman, Rosella Kalk and Marie Assmus and brothers, Walt
Kluthe, Lawrence Kluthe and Sylvester Kluthe.
Bittner Funeral Chapel of Mitchell, SD, was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to White Lake Nutrition Center, St. Peter’s Catholic Church and Aurora-Brule Care and Rehab.