Jearlyn R. (Girdner) Schumacher, age 68, Waverly, passed away peacefully at home on May 14, 2023, surrounded by family after succumbing to Alzheimer’s. Jearlyn was born in Brookfield, MO to Gerald and Doris (Ridpath) Girdner. Jearlyn graduated from Lincoln High School in 1972. She was united in marriage to Dale Schumacher on October 10, 1975 at East Lincoln Christian Church. Together they had three children, Sarah, Jennie, and Dale Jr. Jearlyn attended the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and graduated with her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing in 1984 and went on to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UNMC in 1987. Jearlyn worked as a labor and delivery staff nurse for over 10 years and decided to further her education to become a certified nurse midwife (CNM). She graduated in 1995 from the Frontier School of Midwifery and after passing her state boards became the third CNM in the state of Nebraska and the second CNM in Lincoln. Jearlyn went on to open the first nurse-midwife owned clinic in the state of Nebraska with her business partner and fellow CNM. Together, they owned and operated that clinic for 12 years eventually bringing in a third midwife and employing numerous nurses and office staff. By partnering with different educational institutions, Jearlyn took great joy in helping other nurses learn to become certified nurse midwives by teaching them and helping them learn the skills necessary to help safely deliver healthy babies. Jearlyn was a pioneer for women’s healthcare in Lincoln and helped pave the way for CNM’s.
Schumacher, Jearlyn R.
Jearlyn is survived by her daughters, Sarah (Jay) Fergus and Jennie (Michael) Hensley, son Dale Schumacher Jr., stepdaughters, Linda (Jim) Kruger and Cindy (Tom) Sherwood, stepson Timothy (Terri) Willmes, sisters, Nancy (Darryl) Johnson and Juanita (Mark) Beam, brothers, Gerald (Susan) Girdner and Jeffery (Kim) Girdner, 16 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren with 3 on the way, and numerous nieces, nephews, friends, and patients that touched her heart.
Jearlyn was preceded in death by her husband Dale, her parents, stepson Jeffrey, and a great-great-granddaughter Avonnie.
Funeral Services, Thurs., 5-18-2023, at 10:00 a.m., Plains Baptist Church, 2902 Randolph Street, Lincoln. Visitation, Wed. 5-17-2023 from 5 to 7 p.m., Trump Funeral Services, 1600 West “O” Street, Lincoln; Thurs. one hour before services at the church. Graveside services, Thurs. at 11:45 a.m., Rosehill Cemetery, 14621 Heywood Street, Waverly. Reception to follow the graveside service at the Waverly VFW Post 9875, 13820 Guildford Street Waverly. Condolences may be left at trumpmemorials.com. Join the zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9757573372?pwd=RDlLZzNmMXJzK0FrQllkaWtGQmw5QT09.
Memorials to the family for future designation.
Jearlyn was a colleague, mentor and wonderful nurse/midwife. She cared deeply for those she served and cared for. She will be truly missed. My condolences to your family.
Jill thank you for your kind words about my mom.
I met Jeralyn when she served as my preceptor during my clinical rotation for a post-masters Family Nurse Practitioner degree. She was generous and kind and a wonderful midwife. My sympathies to her family and friends.
Marilyn we appreciate your kind words about our mother. She loved teaching women to be wonderful midwives.
Sarah, Jennie and Dale,
I am so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I remember her kindness and wonderful sense of humor both as being “ one of my school parents” and as a nurse when I had Dustin. Many hugs, thoughts and prayers to you and your families!
Theresa Lindquist aka Mrs. niemeyer
Thank you so much for your kind words! We appreciate the thoughts and prayers. Hope to see you at the service.
I’m so sad to hear this. Jeralyn delivered my first baby. He was her 100th delivery. She was so kind and caring. I have fond memories of her.
Wow, by the time she was finished she had delivered over 4000 babies, so that must have been towards the beginning of her career! Thank you for your kind words.
Jearlyn delivered my first baby. It was an eventful labor and she was such a calm presence throughout the whole time. I will never forget her smile and gentleness toward me. My sympathy to her loved ones as she was truly such a bright light in this world.
She always had a calm and gentle nature, even in an emergency. Thank you for your kind words.
I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else by my side throughout my pregnancy and the delivery of Cora. She made me feel like my own grandmother was in the room with me. Thinking of you all. What a wonderful woman.
That is a good way to describe my mom. She was like a mom or a grandma to many of our friends growing up too. I’m glad she made you feel at ease during your labor. Thank you for your kind words.
Jeralyn delivered my son in 1998 and my daughter in 2000. She was a wonderful nurse and always made me feel like I was important to her. I loved having her as my medical provider. Sending prayers to you and your family.
Thank you for your kind words. She definitely had a way of making everyone including her patients feel special.
I am so saddened to see that Jearlyn has passed…… I worked with her at the midwife office in 2006-2007. She was a wonderful midwife and her patients all loved and respected her. I know she will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers to all of her family.
Thank you for your kind words. She loved Heart and Hands and all of her patients, and all of the staff she employed. Midwifery was one of her greatest passions.
Jeralyn cared for me during the pregnancies and deliveries of all three of my children, born in 2003,2004, and 2007. She was an exceptionally caring, patient, and gentle provider. She inspired my care of women in my current career. Condolences to her family.
Thank you for your kind words. My mom was an inspiration to many, myself included. I’m glad she could inspire you too.
My sympathy for the loss of a wonderful person. Shes was an excellent CNM and was a pleasure to be associated with our practice.
Thank you for your kind words. My mom definitely loved being a midwife while she was still able to do it.
So sorry to hear of Jeralyn’s passing. I was a Lincoln General Labor and Delivery nurse. Your Mother and I would often sit together at conferences sharing stories of our careers and the changes in nursing practice. Such a role model for so many. We were blessed to have had her as a leader in our obstetrical profession.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories of my mom. I love hearing everyone’s stories about her.
To all you kids. Your Mother my aunt was so very special to Don and I. I Dont care where we would be going on our vacations My husband always made time for us to be with aunt jearlyn and uncle Dale we enjoyed every minute we got to spend with all of the family there in eastern Nebraska they both are going to be missed Dearly. Love and prayer to you all. Of you God Bless
Mom and Dad used to love when you and Don would come visit. They looked forward to sitting up and visiting with you guys. I imagine Mom is up there with Dad and Don in Heaven now just having a good time and waiting for all of us to join them. I’m so thankful for salvation and an eternity I know will be spent in Heaven. Love you!
I am so sorry to hear of Jearlyn’s passing. She helped me through both of my pregnancies and helped deliver my daughters. Both pregnancies ended up high risk and she was the most amazing person to help me through to happy healthy births. My second daughter is a nurse and was hoping that her L/D rotation would be with Jearlyn, but she had retired.
She was an amazing caring person, the best midwife, and the most important person helping me through my pregnancies.
To her family- I am so sorry for your loss- she was an amazing, beautiful person
Thank you for your kind words and beautiful memories of my mom. I’m not sure that she ever would have retired if she hadn’t been taken off work and put on medical leave and eventually terminated by the Physician’s Network due to what we eventually found out was Alzheimer’s. She loved her job and her patients so much. She was dedicated to providing excellent care and had a lot of wonderful patients who have shared stories that proved just that. It is too bad that your daughter wasn’t able to follow Mom during nursing school. I have no doubt that she would have learned a lot.
Jennie i’m saddened by your Mom’s passing I didn’t know your mom personally but my mom had her as a midwife years ago when my mom was pregnant with me may your sweet Mother rest in Peace
Thank you for your kind words.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Jearlyn was a great woman,compassionate,loving and friendly. She handled all of my pregnancies and always took my concerns seriously. She was the best woman i have been honored to call a friend.
She will be dearly missed by all.
Thank you for your kind words. She was always a good listener and always seemed to have the right thing to say to help put your mind at ease.
I loved Jearlyn so much. She delivered all three of my babies, the first one back in 1997. She was so full of knowledge and always gave the best medical and personal advice. My husband called her “The Guru”. I continued to go to her annually for checkups until she retired and just loved catching up with her every year. She was the kindest, most caring, and SMARTEST caregiver I’ve ever had. May she rest in peace.
Michelle I appreciate the kind words about my mom. She was all of those things and so much more. She will be missed by many.
Thank you for your kind words.
Oh my gosh, I just found out about Jearlyn’s passing. Man, was she an amazing human being! The most caring person ever, with the best laugh. I worked with Jearlyn for years when I was working L&D and she was a midwife. She was also our midwife & was in the OR when our daughter made her grand entrance. There will truly never be another like Jearlyn. Prayers for her family. ❤️