Ethel Mae Schumann, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on December 12th, 2025.
Ethel was born on March 31,1928, as the eldest daughter of John and Martha Bast of Watertown, Wisconsin. Ethel went to St. John’s Lutheran School and Watertown High School, graduating in 1946. On June 11, 1950, she was united in marriage to John Schumann at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Watertown. They eventually moved to Sheboygan in 1964.
Ethel loved working with numbers. She worked for several banks during her career as a teller and later in mortgage and loan operations. She retired from banking in 1989.
Ethel was very involved in her church in Sheboygan. For many years she enjoyed counting money offerings, served as the first female treasurer, sang in the choir, and participated in Mary Martha’s Guild and Quilters Group. She was also involved in Shoreline Women’s Club and the Red Hat Society of Sheboygan and loved going out to eat or playing cards with friends.
Christmas was special for Ethel. She worked tirelessly preparing for family. Cookies, breads, flavored pretzels and chocolates were some of her famous treats. Her home was beautifully decorated for the season. She always made time for games and puzzles with grandkids.
Ethel was known for her summer gardens. They were always a neighborhood favorite.
In their later years, Ethel and John enjoyed many travels, including wintering in Gulf Shores, Alabama and making frequent trips to see grandkids. Ethel also ventured with friends to Hawaii and Europe, including a stop in ancestral Germany.
She is survived by daughter, Marcia (Rob) Schumann-McMaher, a son, Jeff (Sherri) Schumann, and daughter, Sandy (Marc) Papendieck, brother, Jack (Carole) Bast, grandchildren; Venessa (Eric) Baliruno, Kristin McMaher, Cari-Kate Schumann-McMaher, Danny (Haley) Schumann, Chris (Jessica) Schumann, Stephanie (Bren) Vander Weil, Nick Papendieck, Alissa (Aaron) Prater, great-grandchildren; Patrick, Robert, Imani, Reece, Grant, Blair, Everleigh, Ellianna, Catherine, Ivy, Georgette, Winnie, Penelope, and Juniper. Ethel is also survived by her nieces and nephews.
She is proceeded in death by her husband, John Schumann, her parents, John and Martha Bast, a sister Carol (Bast) Fischer, brothers-in-law, David Fischer, Clarence Schumann, Ray Schumann, sisters-in-law, Lucille Schumann, Norma Schumann, and nephew, Richard Schumann.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2025 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 917 Mead Ave., Sheboygan, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to Sheboygan’s Bookwork Gardens or Stephanie H. Weill Center.
A special thank you to Dr. Flood’s office and the staff at Swifthaven Assisted Living, Huntington Place and Bristol Hospice for their exceptional care.
