Kenneth P. Tschumper

Kenneth P Tschumper was born April 24, 1950 in La Crescent, MN. He passed away on December 19, 2024 after a strong fight against cancer. 

Ken graduated from Winona State University with a degree in Biology in 1972. He worked on a Master’s degree at St. Mary’s College in Winona until he decided to purchase his farm from his parents in January 1977. He was the 4th generation of Tschumpers to dairy farm on this rugged farm, starting with his great grandfather “Emil”, who emigrated from Switzerland to his farm in La Crescent in 1867. Ken’s grandfather brought the first Brown Swiss bull to his farm, and Ken continued this tradition raising registered Brown Swiss Cattle for nearly 40 years.

Ken was fond of saying “old ways are best” and this maxim guided his approach to farming. He did not use pesticides or chemical fertilizers on his land. When he started farming on his own, Ken’s approach to farming was somewhat unusual, leading Keith Schneider to publish the 1987 New York Times article, Farming Without Chemicals: Age-Old Technologies Becoming State of Art, about Ken and his method of farming.

Ken loved politics and dreamed of serving in the State Legislature. With the help of his wife, Robin, and many dear friends, he was able to realize this dream with a win for the DFL in 2006, serving as State Representative to the people in Houston and Fillmore Counties in 2007-2008. 

In addition to farming and politics, Ken & his wife bred Chocolate Labrador Retrievers, and after retirement from dairy farming, together they started a new business venture, Tschumper’s Home Adventures. Together they purchased, remodeled and sold 25 houses. They were working with others to complete house 26 at the time of his death. Throughout all of this, Ken continued to farm hay and maintain a thriving hay business, raising grassy hay for horses.

Ken is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Robin Yaffe Tschumper; his stepson Cameron (Carrie) Gulley, and granddaughters Lily and Katy Gulley of West Salem, WI; Brothers Conrad (Nancy) of Houston, and Gary Tschumper of La Crescent; Sisters Linda Oakes of Concord, CA, and Renee Tschumper of Rochester. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Gail Yaffe Taylor (Richard Rodriguez), and Susan Swanson, both of Fullerton, CA; and many nieces and nephews of whom he was quite proud. Ken was truly impressed with the success of each of his family members and genuinely enjoyed visiting with them.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Marie Tschumper; his eldest sister, Darlene Miller; his father and mother-in-law Frank and Flora Yaffe; and brothers-in-law, Glenn “Larry” Taylor and John Swanson.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Schumacher Kish Funeral Home, 111 South Oak Street, La Crescent MN on Friday, January 3, 2025 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM