Helen Jo Schumburg, 91, of Rockford, IA passed away peacefully on Saturday February 8, 2025 under the care of St. Croix Hospice at the Nora Springs Care Center. Arrangements are with Fullerton Funeral Home. No services will be held at this time, a service of remembrance will be held at a later date.
Helen was born on April 16, 1933 in Odebolt, IA to Edgar Henry Reuber and Eva Drucilla (Freese) Reuber. She graduated from Odebolt High School, then attended Iowa Teacher’s College to earn her two year teaching degree and later obtained her Bachelor’s degree from UNI in 1976. On August 3, 1957, she was united in marriage to, James “Jim” LeRoy Schumburg at the Lohrville, IA United Methodist Church. They had two children – Steven and Janet. In 1966, they moved to Rockford, IA where Jim and Helen operated and owned Schumburg Furniture and Funeral Home until retiring in 2000.
Helen found profound joy and meaning when teaching her beloved kindergarten and 3rd grade students in Lohrville, Sioux City, Rudd and Rockford. She also helped run the daily operations of the funeral home by answering phones, typing funeral registry books, and carefully penning upcoming visitation and funeral information signs for all to see on the Post Office door. Helen frequently sang solos for funerals and made her family promise ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ would never be played at her funeral. Helen also introduced Rockford to the versatility of microwave ovens by hosting cooking demonstrations at the furniture store when the ovens first appeared in the 70’s.
Helen was very active in her community. A member of the First United Methodist Church in Rockford, she lived her faith every day. She proudly served on the licensing committee for new pastors of the Iowa UMC Conference, was United Women of Faith district treasurer, sang in church choirs and volunteered in many capacities in the Rockford church. She was a member of PEO for over 50 years, Eastern Star and assisted with Rainbow Girls. In her free time, Helen enjoyed sewing clothing for her daughter, loving her ‘kitties’, collecting stamps, and reading her newspapers. She was truly a sweet woman and will be remembered by her family and friends for her loving heart and the kindness she showed everyone.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Jim Schumburg and children: Steve “Felix” Schumburg of Waterloo, IA and Janet Schumburg of Rockford, IA, her cherished sister, Grace Long and a small, tight knit group of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Dorothy Drucilla Higby, brother-in-law, Warren Long and sister-in-law Jane Ann Blann.
Expressions of sympathy and memorials may be sent to the First United Methodist Church, 21 Third St NW, Rockford, IA 50468 or a favorite children’s charity.
fullertonfh.com