Schumacher, Madeline A. (Miss) 1912-1939

SCHUMACHER, MEYERS

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:38

Source: Alton Democrat (6-30-1939)

Born: March 9, 1912
Died: June 27, 1939

ALTON GIRL’S LIFE ENDED--CAR CRASH--MADELINE SCHUMACHER IS GONE--BORN HERE IN 1912

Miss Madeline Schumacher, 27, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nic Schumacher of Alton, died Tuesday night from injuries received in an automobile accident in Sioux City. The funeral will be held here at 9 o’clock this morning (Thursday) in St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Miss Bernice Rehnwall, 19 of Sioux City, was killed instantly in the accident that brought injuries to two others. Gordon Hyman, 26, and Earl “Chick” Schmidt both of Remsen. The accident occurred at about 12:25 A.M. Tuesday morning as they returning towards the business district of Sioux City on Highway 75. The car Schmidt was driving collided with an empty livestock truck driven by Maynard Johnson, 30, of Sibley. Johnson and his wife, who accompanied him on the trip, escaped with minor injuries.

According to reports here, the Schmidt automobile was traveling south on the wrong side of the highway. The trucker swerved over to the other side of the pavement to avoid the accident but Schmidt swung over at the same time and the two vehicles crashed head on.

Schmidt;s car was telescoped and the front end of the truck which went into the ditch, was badly damaged.

Miss Schumacher who died nearly 20 hours after the accident, suffered a fractured skull, broken jaw and cuts and bruises. Hyman is still in critical condition in St. Vincent’s Hospital. Schmidt;s injuries consisted mainly of lacerations and shock.

She was born in Alton on March 9, 1912, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nick and Mary (Meyers) Schumacher. Following her graduation from St. Mary’s Academy in 1930, she had one year of Nurses training in Sacred Heart Hospital in Le Mars. She was working in Sioux City as a practical nurse at the time of her death.

Besides her parents she is survived by five brothers: Father George Schumacher of Halbur, Iowa; Leo, Oscar, Peter, and Anthony, all at Alton.

Miss Madeline was a favorite Alton young lady and news of the fatal accident Tuesday morning touched the heart of each one who knew her with gloom. She lingered throughout the day without regaining consciousness and at 10:30 Tuesday night her spirit passed on. The community was saddened and is still greatly shocked by the terrible accident.

Alumni of St. Mary’s Academy, of which she was a graduate are requested to meet at the church prior to the funeral services this Thursday morning, and attend in a body.

The writer knew Madeline all of her life. As a baby, a growing girl and as a young lady, we always admired and liked her sunny disposition and even temperament. She had many admirable qualities and a bright mind. The tragedy of her death brings home to the Alton community as nothing else could the danger ever lurking on the highway for those in a high speed car.

Members of the family have the heartfelt sympathy of all in their sorrow.