Deena Kristen "Kris" Schumacher's Obituary
Deena Kristen “Kris” Schumacher, 79, passed away on February 19th in Trinity, Florida after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Kris was born August 1, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan to Paul and Buena Van Dam. The second of five children, and the daughter of a teacher and coach, Kris was instilled from an early age with a strong love of both learning and football.
Kris attended the University of Michigan, graduating in 1967 with her nursing degree. It was at Michigan where she met and married her first husband. Although the marriage did not last, it accomplished two things: the birth of her daughter Meg, and a relocation to Montana. It was in Montana that Kris met and married Dr. Douglas Schumacher, and they had 30 years together until his death in 2001. Kris and Doug traveled the world, both for adventure and in their work as medical professionals. Of particular pride to Kris, was the time they spent in Saudi Arabia where she developed the first nursing program for the region they lived in. Upon returning to the States, Kris and Doug settled in Rangely, Colorado, where they worked side by side at the hospital in their small community. In 2000 they retired to Las Vegas, where Kris found a love of Vegas shows and slot machines. She always knew where to find the best ones.
Kris started a second chapter of her life in Vegas, following Doug’s passing. She began a new career in real estate, which led her to find love again with Jimmy Vickery. Kris and Jimmy spent the next 20 years together listing and selling houses and sharing new adventures traveling all over the United States, and the world.
Kris was a licensed member of several nursing associations, a member of the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors, and the University of Michigan Alumni Association and University of Michigan Nursing Alumni Society.
Never one to sit idle, Kris always had a project going, be it interior design, needlepoint, knitting or a puzzle. She was a remarkable seamstress, creating beautiful clothing, costumes, and all assortments of quilts. She could often be found working on a quilt, while watching a football game (GO BLUE), with a cat on her lap.
Kris was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Buena Van Dam and husband Douglas Schumacher. She is survived by her daughter Meg (Michael) Cooper, grandsons Tanner (Samantha) Cooper, Brandon (Kaity) Cooper, Ethan Cooper, precious great grandsons Beau and Brooks Cooper, and sisters Karen (Bruce) Galbraith, Martha (Thomas) Neumeyer, Gretchen Van Dam, brother Michael (Janet) Van Dam, many beloved nieces and nephews, dear friends Julie Standen, Jane Mastrini, and her partner Jimmy Vickery.
The family would like to thank Gulfside Hospice, HCA Florida Trinity Hospital, and Trinity Memorial Gardens for the truly outstanding care and kindness they provided. Memorials in Kris’s name may be made to the Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter, 1549 East Cameron Bridge Rd, Bozeman, MT 59718, where Kris adopted her cherished cat, Delilah. It was Kris’s wish to not have a funeral service but to be remembered as she was in our hearts.
What’s your fondest memory of Deena?
What’s a lesson you learned from Deena?
Share a story where Deena's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Deena you’ll never forget.
How did Deena make you smile?