Laura Bauman Schumm

Laura Bauman Schumm passed away peacefully just after noon on February 16, 2024, in her home surrounded by many family members.

Laura was the nurse everyone hopes to have; comforting, pragmatic, wise and skillful. She had an innate talent for the ministry of hospitality and was committed to radical inclusion long before it became a buzzword. She was joyfully intrepid, usually up for just about anything anyone proposed. Her grandchildren fondly remember middle of the night tea parties with Grandma Laura, bookended by hours of talking and looking at pictures. The older Laura got the more radiant she seemed to become, as though the light was just busting out. She was our load-bearing wall, perfectly designed and solid. When she passed on, she left a sturdy beam of light, strong enough to continue supporting and guiding us.

Laura was born to Owen and Lydiann Bauman on April 21, 1932 on their farm in St. Jacob’s, Ontario, the second of five children. In 1957 she married Dale Schumm with whom she had two children. In 1966 while the children were still little the family moved to India where they worked together for Mennonite Board of Missions and Mennonite Central Committee.

When they moved to Elkhart, Indiana in 1972 Laura worked in a nursing home and later as a hospice nurse while hospice was still a relatively new concept. She was instrumental in the beginning of Elkhart Community Hospice and worked with them until retirement and again afterwards.

In addition to India, Laura and Dale visited many parts of the world. She had a special interest in Palestine and Israel having been involved in the founding of the living history site Nazareth Village.

Visitation will be held at 9:00 am Monday, February 19, 2024 at Belmont Mennonite Church in Elkhart with funeral at 11:00 am EST. To view the service go to https://youtube.com/live/Ai7XButHIgs?feature=share

Memorial gifts in her honor can be directed to Goshen Home Care and Hospice, who cared for her in her last weeks,; https://goshenhealth.com/care-services/home-care-hospice and to the Love Fund at Belmont Mennonite Church.