Bridget Rose Schumacher, age 30, of Crofton, NE, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 25, 2024 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton, NE with Rev. Jim Keiter officiating. The Mass will be streamed live and can be viewed at www.facebook.com/WintzRay. Burial will be in St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Crofton. Visitation will take place from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, November 1, 2024 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton, with a Rosary and Vigil Service at 7:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of Wintz Funeral Home in Crofton.

Bridget’s family just asks for prayers. But if you feel you should do more, the family asks that instead of plants or flowers, you gift a basket of something for the young children.

Bridget was born on May 18, 1994 in Yankton, SD, to Gary and Joselyn (Wieseler) Arens. She loved growing up on the family farm with her siblings. She attended St. Rose of Lima Elementary School and graduated from Crofton High School in 2013. She received her degree in Psychology with a minor in Education and Coaching from the University of South Dakota. She will be remembered at USD as a great (Coyote) basketball player and team leader. She went on to earn her master’s degree in school counseling, which allowed her to do what she loved: helping people. Bridget applied her passion as an elementary guidance counselor at Crofton. At the time of her death, she was close to completing her master’s degree in school administration.

Bridget married Taylor Schumacher on May 26, 2018, and through this marriage they were blessed with four beautiful children. As Eli always said, “Daddy, you are Mother’s one true love.” A love that only grew when she took on her favorite title of mother. As Bridget would say, “I just want to be with my kids.” Her daycare center always said that as soon as Bridget pulled into the driveway, she would run to the door. Bridget took her children everywhere, whether it was going to Taylor’s softball games, meeting Taylor at the farm, taking the kids everywhere, or staying home, she loved being with her children and her husband, more than anything in the world. From the moment she became a wife and mother, she made sure her family was cared for and “well fed” every moment. She made every birthday, holiday and anniversary the most special by adding her own little touch.

She had a way of making everyone around her feel like family, whether you were a neighbor or a cousin from ten hours away. She welcomed you with a dimpled smile or a long, friendly conversation. A conversation that made each person feel special and a conversation they would never forget. Her lasting impression on people was infectious and always worth remembering.

Bridget didn’t have to say or outwardly express her faith, she lived it. Even if it meant dragging her four “busy” children to church alone, she was determined to pass on her faith to her children. Her children quickly adopted her faith by finding a love for nativity scenes and the baby Jesus. This love led to a Christmas collection that the children always want to arrange and exhibit with great enthusiasm. For Bridget, it didn’t always matter what it looked like, but how it made the children feel.

Bridget is survived by her husband, Taylor Schumacher of Crofton, NE; sons, Elijah, Briggs and Cooper, daughter Tia; her parents Gary and Joselyn Arens of Crofton, NE; brothers Trevor (Sarah) Crofton, NE and Trent (Kristin) Verdigre, NE; sisters Allison (Shawn) Koehler, Pierce, NE, Monica (Jackson) Diede Yankton, SD, and Alexis Arens, Crofton, NE; six nephews, five nieces; her in-laws, Duane and Luann Schumacher, Travis (Michelle) Schumacher, Tanya (Nick) DeWald and Tanner (Megan) Schumacher, and four nephews and two nieces; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Bridget was preceded in death by her baby angel, grandparents, Gerald and Lucille Arens, and Arthur and Sharon Wieseler.

“Isn’t Mom the best! Yes, mothers the best. I love you mom.”