Linda Schumacher, 74, died on January 23, 2023 at her Kansas City foster home, surrounded by her loving family. Linda was born in Salina, Kansas on December 23, 1948.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents (Raymon and Victoria Hernandez, Aurelio Camarena and Maria Guillen Hernandez Camarena), her parents Rudolph and Mary Camarena, and her grandson Christopher Camarena. Her are survived by her husband, Mike Schumacher, their son Michael Schumacher of Overland Park, KS., his wife Keri, and their daughters Sara and Anna. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters; Bob Camarena (Mary Kay) of Overland Park, KS, Greg Camarena (Joy/deceased) of Larned, KS, Patti Bishop of Salina, Cathy Hadorn (David) of Salina and Maria Looney (Jeff) of Salina. She loved her brothers and sisters, cousins, uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces. Family meant everything to Linda.
Mike and Linda Schumacher began their life together as high school sweethearts and their love never faded. They were married in Salina, KS on October 14, 1967. Linda began her service to others career while working as an X-ray technician in Salina while Mike served in Vietnam during their first year of marriage.
Throughout her life she has worked as a dental assistant, served as a lecturer at the Garden City Zoo, worked at Winfield Hospital as a utilization review coordinator, and after retirement spent time volunteering at the Prairie Fire museum in Overland Park, Kansas. After Mike returned from his service, they lived in Pensacola, Florida and San Diego, California while Mike completed his military service. Wanting to be close to family, they returned to Salina as soon as possible.
It was in Salina that Linda realized her athletic skills. She excelled in everything she tried and it showed her deep drive for success and her competitive spirit about her. She ran marathons, competed in bicycle races and triathlons, and discovered what would become a lifelong admiration for the Colorado Rockies. She and Mike have hiked, biked, skied and fished in the Rocky Mountains. Mike and Linda have traveled to amazing places all over the country, but always found themselves returning to Crested Butte, CO.
Mike and Linda lived in Salina with their son Michael until 1985 when the family moved to Garden City, KS. The love and connection that Linda, Mike and Michael had was for all to see. Linda has always put her family’s interests ahead of her own needs and wants. Her son was her pride and her joy. She and Mike worked tirelessly to make sure the family could support Michael’s best interests. She loved every weekend during Michael’s formative years when the family packed up and headed to bike races in the Midwest.
Mike and Linda ended their careers in Arkansas City, KS. The Ark City community has become their home and they are happily committed to maintaining hiking and biking trails to support the community. They have been found with their dogs enjoying those trails and “training” for hikes in the Rocky Mountains with their granddaughters.
Linda’s love for her husband, son, and daughter-in-law was extraordinary, but there was nothing more important to her than her granddaughters. Sara and Anna affectionately referred to Linda as “Mema,” and her entire family began to do so as well. Linda’s unparalleled care for others was on full display whenever she was with her nieces. After their retirement, Mike and Linda took a leap of faith and moved from the comforts of the home they had created in Arkansas City to Olathe to be closer to their son, daughter-in-law and granddaughters. Her family was able to create many traditions that Linda loved: Sunday dinners, the family’s annual tamale day, and summer vacations in Crested Butte.
Linda’s funeral services will be held at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 16000 W 143rd St, Olathe, KS 66062. A visitation and rosary will be held January 31 from 5-7pm. The funeral mass will be on February 1 at 10:00. Linda will be buried in the Johnson County Funeral Chapel and Memorial Gardens in a private service.
