A funeral service for Leona Catherine (Cummings) Umberger, better known as Kate, age 90, of Fairfax, South Dakota, will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke with Pastor Russ Grim officiating. Casketbearers are Scott Umberger, Marcus Schmitz, Jared Schmitz, Joel Schmitz, CJ Umberger, and Del Einsar. Music for the service will be provided by Lillith Umberger and Katie and Leana. Kate was born October 14, 1935, in Waymansville, Indiana, the fifth child of Otto and Lena (Weaver) Cummings’ nine children. She was married to Ivan Joseph Umberger for nearly 56 years and to this union five children were born — Ivan E, Gary, Mark, Larry, and Leana Schmitz. Ivan passed in January of 2008.
Kate grew up in Missouri and lived in the Burke and Fairfax area most of her adult life. She was never afraid of challenges including working at Sharps Trailers as a painter, owning and operating a shoe repair shop, working in nursing homes in Winner and Butte and as a nurses aid at the hospital in Burke. She was the cook in Burke and Fairfax schools as well as a teacher’s aid in the Bonesteel school.
Kate passed away August 9, 2026. She is survived by her sisters Betta Cassidy, Nora May Hawkins, Joy Crocker, Lura “Tiny” Reeves, and Eileen Roberts; children Ivan (Julie) Umberger, Cindi Umberger, Mark (Lorri) Umberger, Larry (Denise) Umberger, and Leana (Vic) Schmitz; 19 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Kate was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Lena Cummings; her sister Beverly Jean; brothers Robert “Bud” and Albert “Butch”; son Gary Duane Umberger; daughter-in-law Rita (Sabalka) Umberger; grandsons Robert Ivan Umberger and Lance Curtis Schmitz; greatgranddaughter Bobbi Jo Umberger; and great-grandson Cage Landers.
