Alma Shumaker, 79 of Humboldt, SD, passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at the Sanford USD Medical Center with family at her side.

Alma Mae Shumaker was born on December 6, 1937, in Sparta, Virginia to Ethel Young. Alma was the oldest of six sisters and two brothers. Throughout her life, she lived in various areas of the country including Virginia, South Dakota, Arkansas, Texas, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Guam. After graduating from Dell Rapids High School in 1956, she worked at Farmers Market, SL Clothing, Litton Microwave in Sioux Falls, and Mentele’s Steakhouse in Salem, SD.

On May 17, 1961, Alma married Harvey LeRoy Shumaker in Little Rock, Arkansas. After marrying her husband, she never forgot the family she had. Through stories we heard growing up, she would purchase holiday and birthday gifts for her brothers and sisters, purchase a special item of clothing or give a dress for a special occasion.

Alma loved spending time with her grandchildren, and with Harvey would regularly visit them in Nebraska, Texas, Minnesota, and Brookings, SD. She was a fantastic cook and would regularly prepare meals for visiting family and friends. During her children’s birthdays, she would prepare their favorite meal and cake. During holidays, she would prepare several batches of cookies, bars, and candies to share with her extended family. She enjoyed time spent playing cards with friends and family.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband Harvey Shumaker, Humboldt, SD; sons Michael Shumaker and his wife Susan, Humboldt, SD, Harvey II and his wife Laurie, Rochester, MN; six grandchildren Megan, Nick, Connor, Lindsey, Lexi, and Lily. She is also survived by her siblings, Jane Hogan and her husband Jerry, Dell Rapids, SD, Oliver Heesch, Dell Rapids, SD, Mary Gannon and her husband Denny, Dell Rapids, SD, Tom Heesch and his wife Jackie, Pipestone, MN, Grace Wellman and her husband Larry, Sioux Falls, SD, Susan Rae, Loretto, MN; and several in laws, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother Ethel, her sister Frances, and her son David.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5 to 7 pm on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at the Miller Hartford Chapel, 600 South Western Avenue, Hartford, SD. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at the First Baptist Church in Dell Rapids, SD, 512 East 5th Street, Dell Rapids, SD, with burial at the Humboldt Cemetery.