Bonnie Schumacher

Bonnie Marie Schumacher died January 23, 2021 at the ripe old age of 101 in Westminster, Colorado. She was born Bonnie Marie Lewis in Missouri on September 13, 1919 to Herman J. Lewis and Jeanette Marie Doane. When she was a toddler, her parents divorced and Herman later married Ida Brown. They presented Bonnie with her only sibling, Ruth Ellen and she became a doting older sister.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents Herman and Jeanette, step-mother Ida, husband Fred. C. Schumacher Jr., son Lewis Roger Schumacher (Sharon), sister Ruth Ellen Wardin and brother-in-law Charles Wardin. She is survived by her children Charles Eugene Schumacher, Margaret Ellen Baumer (Stephen), and Lori Ann Lombardi (Douglas). Grandchildren include Steve Schumacher, Jennifer Rogers (Joe), Beverly Bodman (Mark), Leslie Borrase, Leland Doane, Lucas Lombardi (Kira), and great grandchildren Sam Schumacher, Chandler Schumacher, Justin Rogers, Jessica Koltay (Tyler), Andrew Borrase, Jordi Borrase, Ellison Lombardi, Jacob Handt, Megan Bodman, and Rebecca Bodman. Great great-grandchildren include Mason and Emberly Koltay along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Bonnie attended Paseo High School in Kansas City, Missouri where she played the tuba in the band and was on the fencing team. She graduated in 1936 and went on to study nutrition at Kansas City State University. Two years later she met Fred C. Schumacher Jr. on a blind date. She was a Protestant and he was a Catholic and, in those days, such a union was discouraged. Consequently, they eloped on August 10, 1940. They loved to hang out with friends and dance to the big bands. Their lifelong love affair, although it never really ended, lasted until Fred passed away on May 2, 2003.

Shortly after their first son, Charles Eugene (Chuck), was born in 1942, Fred was sent by the Army to fight in World War II. Following a brief leave of absence, a second son, Lewis Roger (Rog) was born in 1944 while Fred was fighting in a fox hole overseas. Margaret Ellen was born in 1946 after Fred’s return. Soon they settled into a family-owned farmhouse at 1315 Parker Road in Independence, Missouri. Fred and Herman repaired and built musical instruments at their own Lewis Music Company with Bonnie occasionally chipping in to help by replacing pads on clarinets, oboes, and saxophones.

In 1959, the family packed up and moved to Colorado. They had a brand-new home built in north Denver and in 1962, they were blessed with their final child, Lori Ann who they lovingly called “the caboose”.

Bonnie secured a job at American Parts in Denver, working there as an office assistant until her retirement. However, her main focus was always on her family. Bonnie was the quintessential homemaker using her creativity, intelligence, endless energy, and wit to create an environment ideal for a growing family. Ever resourceful, she could feed the entire family using one can of salmon making delicious croquettes and you were lucky to get one of her famous chocolate chip cookies before they instantly disappeared. She was an accomplished seamstress creating shirts for the boys, doll clothes and prom dresses for the girls. Her sense of humor and words of wisdom were legendary. Often on a bright sunny Missouri day, you could hear her singing as she carried in the laundry off the line, “Bringing in the sheets, bringing in the sheets, bringing in the washing, bringing in the sheets.” Just recently she was told she looked 10 years younger than her age. Quietly she quipped, “Ninety-one, big deal.” And when faced with many challenges, she offered these words of wisdom, “Life is just a bunch of little things strung together that you work through and once in a while you get a break.”

Everyone who knew Bonnie will miss this beautiful, funny, feisty, extraordinary woman and the gentleness of her soul. She’s in a better place and it’s a better place because she’s there. Hold your dear ones close.

Due the pandemic, a celebration of Bonnie’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to Season’s Hospice & Palliative Care, 9191 Sheridan Blvd. Suite 103, Westminster, CO 80030.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A special thank you goes out to Bonnie’s care givers at Arbors at San Marino in Westminster, Co. Their constant attention to her needs was way above and beyond the call of duty.