Marlys Marie (Ness) Schumacher , 55, rural Minot, died Thursday, August 13, 2015 at her home after a long battle with cancer.

Marlys demonstrated extraordinary strength and grace under tough circumstances throughout her life. After her diagnosis five years ago, she continued to live her life to the fullest working every day, visiting family, helping on the farm, and being the best wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend imaginable. Marlys was also incredibly generous to everyone. Rarely did she turn down an opportunity to help a friend or cause even while ill.

Marlys was born January 9, 1960 to Wayne and Hilda (Stelzl) Ness of Minot. She lived in the Minot area until 1966, when the family moved to North Carolina and later to Virginia. She graduated from Salem High School in Salem, Virginia, where she excelled in track, volleyball and softball. As a child, Marlys would often return to North Dakota during the summer months to visit her grandparents. It was during one of those visits that she met Donald Schumacher. They were united in marriage on June 16, 1979 in Minot and made their home on the family farm in Afton Township.

Marlys was a natural athlete. When her high school did not offer a girl's track team, she ran for the boy's. She maintained her love for playing softball and volleyball throughout the years until last year despite living with advanced cancer.

Marlys loved to spend time with friends and family. She was an amazing cook and incredibly talented and creative. She loved to cook, garden, quilt and craft always giving beautiful gifts to family and friends. Marlys also loved spending summers at their Rice Lake cabin. Marlys was involved with the South Prairie School PTO when her children were students and then supported the Magi Drumline after they entered high school. She also volunteered at both schools and for athletic events (you would often find her and her yummy desserts at Minot High concessions). She also served as clerk treasurer for Afton Township.

Marlys was employed in Minot throughout the years including Dr. Sommer's Orthodontics, Dakota Dental (for over a decade) and for the past 11 years with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota as a Team Lead/Trainer.

Her loving family carrying on her spirit includes , husband of 36 years, Donald Schumacher; children, Danielle Schumacher, Minot and Derek Schumacher, Warner Robins, GA; Mother, Hilda Stelzl; siblings Marlin (Helga) Ness and (their children, Marlin Jr., Benjamin and Annika); Michael Ness (daughter Marlys, her son Jesse), Christa Carroll (daughters; Layna and Ella Vujovic), Aurora, IL; Brother-in-law, Blaine (Virginia) Schumacher, (their daughter Melissa (Wesley) Jansen, (their children Landen and Olivia); sister-in-law, Patricia (Gene) Eggen, children, Michelle (Ron) Carlson, their children, McKinnon and Jordan; Michael (Jaime) Aasen, their children Drake and Emery; Crystal (David) Philpot, their son Caleb; Brad Eggen, daughter Jennifer; cherished "kids" Hayden and Hailee Collins, Minot and Thomas Schuster, Germany, and many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins in the US and Germany.

Marlys was preceded in death by her father, Wayne Ness; stepfather, Tyree Carroll; mother in law and father-in-law Wilfred and Marion (Frost) Schumacher, grandparents, Drang and Lillian Opstad, Katharina and Luitpold Stelzl, and Kelly Eggen.

Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.
Interment: A private burial will be held at a later date.
Visitation: Tuesday, August 18, 2015 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service : Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
Memorials are preferred in Marlys' memory to South Prairie School PTO, Trinity Foundation - c/o the Cancer Center, or an organization of the donor's choice.