Sister Urban Schumacher died on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021.
The former Ann Magdalen Schumacher was born on April 16, 1925, in Green Bay, daughter of the late Urban and Clara (Schauer) Schumacher. She entered the convent in 1940, professed her vows in 1943, and celebrated her 80th Jubilee in 2021.
Sister Urban earned a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Viterbo College, La Crosse, Wis. She did post-graduate studies at Notre Dame University, Indiana; Marquette University, Milwaukee; and St. Norbert College, De Pere. She served as a teacher at St. Joseph, Marinette; St. Isidore, Osman; St. Joan, Goodman; St. Matthew, Green Bay; and St. Francis Pre-Novitiate, Robinsonville. Sister Urban served as Worship Director at Holy Innocents, Manitowoc. She served the Community as a General Councilor, General Superior and in Community ministry at the Motherhouse since 1992 as Local House Coordinator, Archivist, and as Worship Coordinator.
Survivors include the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross and Associates; one brother, Mark (Kay), Green Bay; sister-in-law, Judy, Green Bay; one brother-in-law, Don Zakowski, Green Bay; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents; brothers Peter, John, Rev. Paul, and Urban; sisters Mary Verbeten and Clare Zakowski; brother-in-law Sylvester Verbeten; and sisters-in-law Marge and June Schumacher.
When asked at her 80th jubilee to describe the most important lessons in life, she wrote: “I have learned to understand and appreciate more each day God’s infinite love for me. I am daily reminded of the many ways I was helped and protected and healed by God who became human out of love for us. Secondly, I thank our founding Sisters who sacrificed and gave up everything so our Congregation would grow and prosper. They taught us by example how to live the vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience.”
We remember Sister Urban for her kind, gentle presence; her enjoyment and love of nature, especially at the family cottage at Windfall; her musical talent which enhanced our liturgies; and her wonderful smile.
