Caroline (Schaus) Schumm of Ellis died at age 97, Wednesday, May 14, 2014 after spending her final Mother’s Day and week of life enjoying being pampered at Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital & Long-Term Care Center. Her birthplace was rural Ellis County on January 23, 1917, to John (Ast) and Wilhemina (Wentling) Schaus.

She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings Edgar, Edna Ptaschek, Frieda Bollig, Lena Bollig, William, Edith Hughes Malone and Raymond, as well as one grandson, Clay Kutina. Her survivors include husband, Martin, who she married February 4, 1938 in Tulsa, Oklahoma; one sister, Henriettta (Chris) Hansen of Clackamas, Oregon; and two daughters: Beverly McLaury of Ellis and Aleta (Lea) McCloud of Wichita, Kansas.

From those daughters, seven grandchildren survive–six in Kansas: Kirk Kutina, Topeka; Cindi Renyer, Valley Falls; Todd McLaury, Topeka; Monica Fisher, Overland Park; Darrin McCloud, Clearwater, and Andrea McCloud Johnson, Wichita. Her oldest granddaughter, Laurie Bishop, lives in Gordonville, Texas Of the 19 great grandchildren, 18 reside around Kansas and one is becoming a Marine in California. There are currently 12 great-great grandchildren.

With an 8th grade education, Caroline worked for more than 20 years in the Ellis Public School District’s School Lunch program progressing to the position of Manager; of her many accomplishments she was most proud to have helped design the kitchen for the current Ellis High School and planned many special banquets for FFA and proms. Many EHS graduates remember the hot lunches she and her team served with generous portions and smiles.

She and Martin have been members of Christ Lutheran Church since 1946. During her homemaking years she served in volunteer leadership at both school and church. In later years she spearheaded the “Sewing Ladies” who transformed old clothes and donated fabric into warm quilts that were sent to Lutheran World Missions and disasters.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Monday, May 19, 2014 at Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis.

Visitation will be Sunday 5 PM – 8 PM at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

Gifts in Caroline’s memory can be designated to Trego County Lemke Memorial Endowment Foundation of WaKeeney or Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis.

Condolences may be sent by guest book to www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected]