Susan Alene Schumann

Susan Alene Schumann (ne Kokemoor), 70, of La Crosse died peacefully on Monday, March 3 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. She was born in Houston, TX to Emma (ne Schroder) and Herbert Kokemoor on November 30, 1943. She was raised in Houston and moved north when she married the love of her life, William R. Schumann. Her path to La Crosse took her through Ohio, where she received a B.A. from Capital University, and Michigan, where she taught elementary school. She moved to La Crosse in 1968, where she and Bill had three children. Susan suffered the unexpected loss of Bill in 1980. She persevered and focused completely on raising her children and building a career as a reading specialist. She worked on her Master's degree at UW-L where she received double certification in reading and special education. She then taught at Holmen High School in the special education department for five years, followed by a move to the La Crosse School District, where she worked for twenty-four years. She initially worked as a reading specialist at Logan Middle School, eventually becoming the Supervisor of Literacy, Assessment and Title I at the district. During that time and afterward, she also taught reading classes at UW-L. Susan was actively involved in the La Crosse Education Association and the Wisconsin State Reading Association. Through her volunteer work she was instrumental in keeping the reading specialist requirement in Wisconsin. Beyond her passion for reading and education, Susan was an avid gardener and delighted in the antics of her five grandchildren and the company of her many good friends. She will be remembered by her children for her constant support and her bravery in driving them by herself to Texas every summer. Her compassion, ideals, and love will be sorely missed by her family and friends. Susan was preceded in death by her husband, William R. Schumann, her parents, Emma and Herbert Kokemoor, and cherished in-laws, Ethel and Paul A. Schumann, Sr. Susan is survived by three children, Matthew Schumann of La Crosse, WI, Angela (David) Bina of Spokane, WA, and Christi (Pyong Kim) Schumann of Renton, WA; five grandchildren, Sam Schumann, Nathan Bina, Emily Bina, Greta Kim, and Theodore Kim; one brother Richard (Gail Tasch) Kokemoor of Eau Claire, WI; brother-in-law Paul A. (Barbara) Schumann, Jr. of Austin, TX; four nephews and one niece; numerous cousins and extended family members; and close friends. Her children would like to thank Susans friends Jane Greenewald, Joan Henthorne, and Ann Harry for their unwavering support during her courageous battle with cancer. They would also like to thank Dr. Kurt Oettel and Dr. Hillary Bingol for their care and support. Visitation will be held at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse on Friday, March 7 from 4-7. Funeral services will be held at Christ Episcopal Church on Saturday, March 8 at 10:30 AM with Father Patrick Augustine officiating, with a brief visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. A second service will take place in Houston, TX on March 11, followed by interment at Forest Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Susans family asks that donations be made to the La Crosse Public Education Foundation.