Leo Schumacher, 92, Aberdeen, SD, died Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at the Bethesda Home of Aberdeen. Funeral services have been scheduled for 10:00 AM, Tuesday, March 18, (his son, Milo’s, birthday) at Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka. Pastor Janet Sandmeier will lead the service and Earl Mehlhaff will be the music leader. Congregational hymns will be “Just as I am, Without One Plea, “How Great Thou Art”, and “What a Friend we have in Jesus”. Earl will play “Gott Ist Die Liebe” as an accordion selection.  Interment follows at the Eureka Cemetery.

Visitation will be at Lien-Straub-Carlsen from 5:00-6:00 PM Monday.

Leo’s funeral will be livestreamed at the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page.

Leo Elston Schumacher, son of Emma (Graf) and Gottlieb Schumacher, was born at a farm eight miles SE of Hosmer, SD on May 20, 1932. He attended rural school and worked as a farm laborer. Leo married Verna Ardella Forkel at Hosmer on December 16, 1956. They first settled on the Haerter farm south of Hosmer and, in October 1960, moved to the Eureka area. Here Leo was employed at the Fischer Twins Farm and also by Albert Fischer. They relocated to the Long Lake, SD area in May of 1964 where Leo was employed by LeRoy Hoffman. In October 1967, they moved to the former Julius Hoffman farm where Leo was employed at the Hoffman O Ranch, Inc. In September 1997, the Schumacher’s moved into Eureka and Leo continued working part time at the O Ranch until retiring in 2002. In retirement, Leo was active in his church, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. Leo was a well-known musician in the area. He was self-taught accordionist whom played by ear.  He started in the Schumacher Brothers band and then was a member of the Moonliters Band. He especially enjoyed playing at his nieces and nephews wedding dances. After his band days, he liked to play music at nursing homes. Other memories of Leo’s include him playing Uno with his grandchildren, having coffee and socializing with his friends, and having an active sweet tooth. Leo’s family is very grateful for the care that he received at the Bethesda Home.

Leo is survived by two daughters—Vicki (Doug) Mundt of Aberdeen and Heidi (Jeff) Bratkiewicz of Sioux Falls, SD; one brother, Ivan (Arvilla) Schumacher of Hosmer; Daughter-in-law, Theresa Schumacher; eight grandchildren- Skylar, Luka, Kelsey, Tia, Bailey, Caden, Danny, and  Sam; and three great grandchildren- Liam, Langston, and Grant.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ardella, on February 11, 2024; his father, Gottlieb, on November 10, 1970; his mother, Emma, on July 25, 1993; one son, Milo; granddaughter, Ashton Schumacher;  five brothers—Herbert, Marvin, Delbert, Lawrence, and Robert; and four sisters—Darlene Kramlich, Viola Winkler, Mildred Preszler, and an infant.

Honorary bearers will be Leo’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Casketbearers will be Stanton Spitzer of Leola, SD; Charlie Hoffman Eureka; Randy Becker of Ashley, ND; Brock Halvorson of Chicago, IL; and Leo’s sons-in-law, Doug and Jeff.

Services are in care of Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka.