James L. Schumburg

James L. Schumburg, 92, long time funeral home owner and businessman of Rockford, died Sunday, September 7, 2025 at the Nora Springs Care Center. James LeRoy Schumburg, 92, of Rockford, IA, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at the Nora Springs Care Center. Arrangements are with Fullerton Funeral Home. Per Jim’s wishes, private family services will be held. Jim was born on August 21, 1933, in Lake City, IA, to Herman August Schumburg and Helen Louise (Stever) Schumburg. He graduated from Lohrville High School and attended Central College, where he proudly lettered in football his freshman year. After serving in Korea, Jim attended Morningside College before graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary Science. On August 3, 1957, he married Helen Jo (Reuber) Schumburg at the Lohrville United Methodist Church. They had two children, Steven and Janet. In 1966, the family moved to Rockford, IA, where Jim and Helen owned and operated Schumburg Furniture and Funeral Home until retiring in 2000. It takes a special person to become a funeral director. Jim cherished his profession and never took lightly the trust grieving families placed in him during times of deep sorrow and pain. In 1966, funeral homes were often paired with furniture stores, and when the Schumburgs purchased theirs, they accepted the retail challenge with dignity. Although “the store” was never Jim’s greatest passion, he loved Christmas Eve most of all—delivering furniture that day brought joy, surprise, and sometimes tears to families receiving gifts a day early. Those smiles meant everything to him. Jim had a quirky, sometimes nerdy personality that took time to appreciate, but underneath was a deep commitment to service and community. He poured his time and energy into Iowa, Rockford, Scouts, Lions Club, Masons, Eastern Star, RAGBRAI, and to people in general. He reminded everyone that Iowa’s farmland was the best in the nation, championed “buy local” long before it was common, and helped build a scout troop that has produced over 70 Eagle Scouts—an impressive achievement in a small town. He served as District Governor for the Lions Club, on the Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home Board, and took pride in helping select local Masonic scholarship recipients. He organized early bus and bike clubs for RAGBRAI, donated more than 10 gallons of blood, delivered Meals on Wheels until age 89, and was always willing to give a ride to the airport or doctor. As a funeral director, Jim often said funerals are for the living. In his own words: “The love of my life, the woman I would marry ten times over, is dead. My kids grew up with funerals all around them—they don’t need another. I’m so old there aren’t many friends and family left to come. Therefore, don’t have a funeral. Instead, spend the time making the world a better place: help a neighbor, teach a child to prepare for bad weather, or take a bike ride. Remember me with a smile, a piece of useless trivia, and the simple fact that we all have to die sometime.” Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Steve “Felix” Schumburg of Waterloo, IA, and Janet Schumburg of Rockford, IA; his sister-in-law, Grace; and a small, close-knit group of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his sister Jane Ann Blann, his sister-in-law Dorothy Drucilla Higby, and his brother-in-law Warren Long. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church Window Fund, 21 Third St. NW, Rockford, IA 50468, or to a favorite local charity. Private Graveside services will be held at a later date at the Evergreen Cemetery, Lohrville, Iowa.

James L. Schumburg

August 21, 1933 - September 7, 2025

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