Illa Alice Schumacher

Illa Alice Schumacher, 88, of Colton, SD, formerly of Rapid City, died peacefully on Monday, February 10, 2020, at Dells Nursing and Rehab in Dell Rapids, SD. Memorial service will begin at 1:30 PM, Saturday, February 29, 2020, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1111 Oriole Dr, Rapid City, SD.

Illa was born November 16, 1931 in Colome, SD, to Wilbur and Kathryn (Sckweigert) Smith. Illa was born into a family of five siblings. After graduating high school, Illa went to work at Luellyn Café in Gregory where she met John C. Schumacher. They were married on June 20, 1958. Through the years of marriage, they were blessed with five wonderful children.

Illa worked as a waitress in Rapid City at the Westwood Café and Harold’s Prime Rib and Steakhouse until she retired at the age of 71. She said waitressing always kept her young and in shape. She loved all of her regular customers.

Illa was a very loving mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Illa’s children and family were always a priority in her life. She always made sure you were fed and waited on you hand and foot. She lived the majority of her life in Rapid City for 53 years before moving to Colton, SD to live back on the farm. She always said she was back home and loved the fresh air and helping with the garden and seeing the animals. Illa was a wonderful cook and baked all the time. She baked fresh cookies for her children and grandchildren when they came to visit.

Illa had a vast knowledge of Bible scriptures. She quoted them all the time to everyone to keep us all on track! Illa will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her children: Carolyn (Kenny) Hatzenbuhler, Rapid City, Dennis (Sharon) Langdeaux, Apache Junction, AZ, Susan (Don) Eisenbraun, Rapid City, Barbara (Terry) Neuharth, Colton, and Laura (Darcy) Dobson, Vancouver, WA; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other  relatives and friends.