Marcelle Simon Schumacher

Marcelle (Simon) Schumacher, 97, a former, long-time resident of Granville, IA, but more recently of Glen Ellyn, IL, died Sunday, April 25, 2021, while in hospice care in Naperville, IL.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m., Friday, April 30, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Granville, IA, with Father Daniel Greving officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Granville.  Visitation with family present will be 1 hour before the funeral on Friday at the church, masks are required.  Services have been entrusted to Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen, IA.  For those unable to attend, condolences may be sent online and the funeral will be uploaded to be watched later at www.fischfh.com.

Marcelle was born on June 10, 1923, in Koerich, Luxembourg, the daughter of Jean Alphonse and Catherine (Ries) Simon.  She grew up in Koerich, lived in various locations in Europe during World War II, and immigrated to the United States on August 4, 1949.  She had been invited to stay in the home of her great-uncle John Ries, in Granville, IA, where she met Joseph (“Joe”) Henry Schumacher.  After practically falling in love at first sight, Marcelle and Joe were married at St. Boniface Church in Sioux City, IA, on June 10, 1950.  They built a home together and raised three children, living in Granville for many years and for a short period in Breda, IA (where Joseph died in a car accident in 1972).  Marcelle returned to Granville in 1972, where she lived until 1997, when she moved to live with her daughter, Kathy, and helped raise her granddaughter, Miriam. Marcelle lived with Kathy and Miriam, in several locations, including New York City, Frankfurt, Germany, Falls Church, Virginia, and finally, in Glen Ellyn, IL. 

Known as “Marcie” to many of her friends in the U.S., she had a personality as big as life. She tackled many hardships and overcame them with style, grace and panache. She loved speaking French, German and Luxembourgish with her children and grandchildren in addition to English. She told stories of surviving World War II in Luxembourg and then immigrating to rural northwest Iowa.  She was skilled at knitting, crocheting and painting.  She enjoyed cooking and made exquisite dishes with a French flair, and loved being surrounded by family and friends.

She leaves behind her children Dr. Raymond Schumacher and his wife Nancy (Tucson, AZ), Joe Schumacher and his wife Pamela (Glen Ellyn, IL), Kathy Schumacher (Glen Ellyn, IL); grandchildren Tim Schumacher (Minneapolis, MN), Emily Schumacher (Wheaton, IL), Miriam Ouldibbat (Glen Ellyn, IL); Jason Geiser (Tucson, AZ) and Lauren Veta and her husband David Veta (San Diego, CA).  Also mourning Marcelle are numerous nieces and nephews in Luxembourg and the United States.

Preceding her in death were her beloved husband, her parents, her sister, her brothers, numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, several nieces and nephews and cherished friends.

Casket bearers will be her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to any charity of your choice that assists immigrants and families in need.  Examples include the National Immigration Justice Center (www.immigrantjustice.org) and Catholic Relief Services (www.support.crs.org).