Died: 31 March 2017
Schumacher, Marlene Mey (Seideman) 82 years, passed away on 31 March 2017 at her residence. Marlene was born on 3 July 1934 to Arthur and Margaret (Mey) Seideman in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She attended Atonement Lutheran Grade School and Lutheran High School. She graduated from Valparaiso University in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
On 18 June 1955 she married James Schumacher. During their 24 military relocations, she was “Commander of the Home Front.” She was active in her children’s lives, her church, and community. In the ensuing years, Marlene took part in numerous activities in support of Jim’s assignments for the Marine Corps. While stationed in Japan, Marlene taught English to CEOs and other service organizations. She initiated and organized a school library at Mt. Olive Lutheran School in Des Moines, Iowa. After her father’s death, she took over his water well-drilling supply business in Milwaukee. Later she moved to Oconomowoc, restored a Victorian home, and became involved by serving her city and community, first as a volunteer, then as mayor for two terms. She served on committees for St. Matthew Lutheran School (Oconomowoc) building program, St. Marcus (Milwaukee), and Wisconsin Lutheran College (Milwaukee).
Marlene is survived by her husband Jim of 62 years, their four daughters Jodie (Gary) Schommer of Ft. Atkinson, Wi; Wendy (Marc) Folven of Bryon, IL; Jamie (Stefan) Arredondo of Bristow, VA; and Laury (Daniel) Krause of Oshkosh, WI, as well as granddaughters Whitney (Oleg) Demin of Vernon Hill, IL; Christina Arrendondo of Williamsburg, VA; Caroline Folven of Minneapolis, MN; Katherine (John) Cleven of Milwaukee, WI; Petra (Cavyn) VonDeylen of Milwaukee, WI, and Elena Arrendondo of Bristow, VA.
Visitation will be on Friday, 7 April at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 818 West Wisconsin Avenue, Oconomowoc, WI from 9:30 AM until the time of Funeral Service at 1 PM. A private internment for the family after the church service will follow at Ixonia Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery. A light lunch, at the church, will follow at 3 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Forward Program, St. Marcus Lutheran School, Wisconsin Lutheran College Fine Arts Organ Fund, or Time of Grace Ministry.
Marlene is pictured on page 70 in the 4th edition of the Seidemann Family Tree book, her family tree is listed on page 30, and on page 426 under the history of the First Two Family Reunions she is listed as the youngest child in attendance at the second Seidemann Reunion at the age of two months. She was the secretary of the Seidemann Reunion for six years from 1950 to 1956, and served on the Seidemann Planning Committee for the past ten years. Marlene is a fifth generation descendant of Friedrich and Rosine Seidemann and her genealogy line is as follows: Friedrich, Traugott, Henry, Arthur, Marlene. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her.