Verna Marie Schumacher, 92, Hays, died Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at Via Christi Village surrounded by her family.
She was born December 18, 1933 in Pfeifer, the daughter of Martin and Pauline (Leiker) Degenhardt. On April 24, 1950, she was united in marriage to Ralph J. Schumacher at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays, and they celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on February 1, 2010.
Verna was a sales clerk at Midwest Drugs, worked at 7-Up Bottling Company, and for 20 years, volunteered at the Community Assistance Center. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and Daughters of Isabella Circle #254.
Verna was an avid reader, enjoyed Bingo, playing cards, and crocheting, making many Barbie dresses for her daughters and granddaughters. She loved flowers, tending to her roses, and her family, with a special place in her heart for her grandchildren.
Survivors include three sons Ronald Schumacher of Hays, Larry Schumacher and wife Maryln of Lyons, and Dave Schumacher and wife Brenda of Plainville, four daughters Diana Kohl and husband Ken of Ellis, Mary Karst and husband Tom of Hays, Rose Werth and husband Stan of Elk City, Oklahoma, and Claudine Richmeier and husband Mark of Hays, her sister Joyce Pfeifer of Hays, 15 grandchildren Robert Kohl, Sandra Zordel, Suzanne Sprenkle, Ryan Schumacher, Amanda Henson, Gwen Kraushaar, Kira Bui, Kristina Oborny, TJ Karst, Josh Werth, Zach Werth, Luke Werth, Corey Richmeier, Tasha Eichman, and Shelby Grieve, 35 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ralph, two brothers Fr. Gervase Degenhardt and Martin Degenhardt, Jr. four sisters Viola Sack, Delores Herrman, Esther Burgardt, and Veronica Ditto, and two grandchildren Dustin Karst and Elizabeth Rose Werth.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 on Saturday, October 31, 2026 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church with Fr. Damian Richards officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until service time on Saturday at the church. A Daughters of Isabella Rosary will be at 5:30 pm followed by a vigil service at 6:30 pm, all on Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to Hospice of HaysMed, Catholic Charities, Cancer Council of Ellis County, or for masses. Condolences and memories of Verna may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com