Lena - Rubie Pearl Schumacher, 104 passed away on November 8, 2014 at her home in Lena. She was born March 29th, 1910 on a farm near Winslow IL. She was the first born child of Awalt and Agnes (Rabe) Rockow.

Rubie grew up in a world we would not recognize today. At an early age she worked on the farm, milking cows by hand morning and night, learning to plant a garden and cook and clean. She recalled fondly those days of her youth when after chores she and her brothers and sisters would ride horses and go on horse drawn sleigh rides in winter. She remembered one of her happiest days as a child was in 1918 when she was eight years old when the sound of church bells marked the end of World War I and no longer did they fear their father would be called to France to fight in the war to end all wars.

As was the custom in her youth, upon graduation from 8th grade at the age of 14, Rubie left to find work and spent her teenage years helping a neighboring farm woman cook, clean and raise her children. In 1927 at the age of 17 young Rubie met a handsome young man named Chester Schumacher at a dance in Browntown WI. Although she was a little concerned for Chester's love of moonshine during Prohibition, they were soon married and when the children started to arrive she was always proud of how good a family man he would become.

Rubie and Chet raised their family during the Depression and Rubie provided for her family and made do with large gardens, homemade clothes, and working for nearby families. She always had a little something for the down and out who moved through the area in those difficult times. A hobo's mark on a tree nearby meant at Rubie's home there was always something to eat.

At the age of 38 Rubie became a grandmother and moved into a house in Winslow. It was the first time in her life she had indoor plumbing and didn't have a wood stove.

As Rubie's children grew and had families of their own they all returned to Rubie's home for birthdays, holidays and to just be together. All of her grandchildren remember fondly how welcome she made them in her home and how much love they always felt there. That would never change and her grandchildren and great grandchildren always looked forward to visiting Grandma Rubie and enjoying her fried chicken dinners.

Rubie worked for many years as a meat inspector for the USDA at a nearby turkey farm and often kidded her grandchildren that she had the same federal rank as a college graduate. When she retired from her job she continued to work for others as a volunteer at the senior citizens center in Lena, and even when that closed she helped neighbors and family by cooking them dinners and pies and canning vegetables. As her own children aged she was always there to help care for them.

Throughout her entire life Rubie lived the values of her upbringing in honesty, hard work, sacrifice and love of family For over a century her kindness and generosity touched hundreds of lives, and she left her influence on all those who knew and loved her. She showed us that love and kindness were more important than material things. She showed us the virtue in sacrifice and the joy in helping others . She showed us as her own children passed away one by one before her how to stand fast in faith and know that such was God's will. She taught us to appreciate what we have and to enjoy our lives every day. She said many times she didn't know why the Good Lord kept her around so long, but many of us who loved her know it was because she was needed in this world.

Rubie is survived by her sister, Maxine Augsburger of Boise, Idaho, 22 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 19 great great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Chester and six children Darlyne (Wayne) Stamm, Jeraldyne Schumacher, Joyce (Vito) DiModica, Gloria (Hank) Gruenberg, Beverly (Bernard) Blacksmith, and Duane Schumacher. Two sisters and three brothers also preceded her in death and one granddaughter and one great grandson.

The Lord has taken Rubie Schumacher home to the love of her eternal family, and to us who for now are left behind she would say - Don't worry about me dearie, I'm doing just fine.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, IL.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until time of service on Wednesday at the funeral home.

A luncheon will be served at 12:30pm on Wednesday at the Lena Community Center following the funeral service.

Following the luncheon a burial will take place at 2:00pm at Rock Lily Cemetery in Winslow, IL.

Pastors Kevin Cernek and Bob Patin will officiate at the services.
A memorial has been established in her name for the Winslow Grace Bible Church and FHN Hospice.

Friends may send condolences to the family at www.leamonfh.com