Mary Ellen Schumacher

Mary Ellen Schumacher, age 94, of Mallard, passed away on November 21, 2025, at Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg surrounded by her family. Mass of the Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM on Wednesday November 26th at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg and will be livestreamed via Lentz Funeral Home's website: https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/mary-ellen-schumacher Visitation will be from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 25 at Lentz Funeral Home in Mallard.
Mary Ellen Vaughan, the daughter of Steven and Mary (Flynn) Vaughan, was born on January 23, 1931, in Emmetsburg. She graduated from Mallard High School in 1949. On February 16, 1953, Mary Ellen was united in marriage with Dennis J. Schumacher at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mallard. Mary Ellen and Dennis owned and operated the Mallard Lumber Company and farmed together.
It was rare to see Mary Ellen without Dennis as they were together most of the time whether working together at the Lumberyard, at the farm or during the many adventures they experienced during their 60 years of marriage.
Family was important to Dennis and Mary Ellen and they came to view each other's siblings as their own. Countless hours were spent helping and being helped by each other's families and those ties remained throughout Mary Ellen's life.
Dennis and Mary Ellen served as godparents for many nieces and nephews and close cousins as well. "Hello Aunt Mary Ellen" was a familiar greeting at many family gatherings as many of their nieces and nephews viewed them as that "special" aunt and uncle.
In 1966 Mary Ellen became a mother as she and Dennis welcomed a son into their family. This was their only child, but many nieces and nephews still were viewed as their children too. Dennis and Mary Ellen had enough love to go around for not only their families but also for non-relatives as well and they showed it daily.
Irish heritage was celebrated by Mary Ellen as she was 100% Irish and proud of it.
Mary Ellen was a member of St. Mary's Christian Mothers, Catholic Daughters of America, Palo Alto County Hospital Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed listening to Irish music, following the Iowa Hawkeyes, playing euchre, rummy and cribbage, being outdoors and on the farm and refinishing furniture.
Left to cherish Mary Ellen's memory is her son, Kevin (Talli) Schumacher of Mallard, grandson, Joseph Schumacher of Mallard, her sister-in-law, Frances Vaughan, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and even great great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dennis; brothers, Tom, Pat and Johnny Vaughan; and a sister-in-law, Vonita Vaughan.
Services have been entrusted to Lentz Funeral Home of Mallard. Condolences may be left at www.lentzfuneralhome.com