Cheryl Small Schumann, 1942-2026
Cheryl Lynette Small Schumann, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2026. She was born on May 10, 1942, in Wichita, Kansas, and was the oldest of four girls.
Growing up in Wichita, Cheryl excelled in school as a 4.0 student and National Merit Scholar finalist and maintained a lifelong love of learning. She met her husband, Steve, at the University of Kansas, and she later went back to college for women’s studies and culinary arts.
She watched Jeopardy daily and yelled at Alex Trebek, read books voraciously, and was known among family and friends as the absolute and undisputed trivia champion. Musically gifted, she played piano, sang alto in multiple church and civic choirs, and had a remarkable ear for harmony.
Cheryl was cherished for her contagious laugh, beautiful smile, and sense of humor, especially her love of dry British wit. She also had a serious, passionate side to her, which made it easy to have deep and meaningful conversations about philosophy, relationships, spirituality, justice, equality, and the importance of electing leaders one could respect.
Cheryl loved watching sports, such as competitive ice skating, gymnastics, tennis and college basketball. She would scream at the TV while watching the KC Chiefs and KU Jayhawks, cheering and correcting their mistakes. Ballet, musicals, the symphony, cooking and interior design were other passions. She adored shows on PBS and Oscar-worthy movies, as she had a sharp, insightful eye as a critic long before Siskel and Ebert.
When Cheryl was not working full time as an anaerobe serologist, she volunteered as a Headstart teacher, Bluebirds leader, and PTA officer. She could usually be found at her children’s numerous sporting and performance events. She loved supporting her father, Tom, and Steve, as they traveled to compete at international horseshoe tournaments. Later she and Steve were regularly enthralled with The Kansas City Chorale and explored much of the world together.
Cheryl’s summers with her family at the Small family cabin in Peaceful Valley in the Rockies were among her happiest memories at every age of her life. Her dad would make pancakes and fried cornmeal mush on the wood stove, aka “the Beast.” The rustic cabin had an outdoor shower and outhouse and no television. There was lots of playing cards and hiking among wildflowers around Long and Isabel lakes and singing around the campfire with her sisters and many cousins. And playing “Gorilla.” She loved the nearby chapel overlooking the mountains of Sawtooth, St. Vrain, and Audubon.
Cheryl is survived by her daughter, Stephanie (Keith Foster); her son, Michael (Kim); her sisters, Candy Gilbert and Debra Small (Roger Fagre); and her grandchildren, Luke Friedrich (Erica), Carley, Michael Friedrich (Clarice), Sam, and Daniel Friedrich. She was preceded in death by her husband, Steve; her parents, Tom and Regena Small; and her sister, Sheila Moody (Ken).
Cheryl’s legacy continues through the lives she enriched and the memories she leaves. She will be remembered for her generosity, big heart, infectious laughter, musical gift, intellect, and dedication to her family and friends and neighbors. Her love of learning, sharp sense of humor, and thoughtful insights were the hallmarks of her life, leaving joy and inspiration in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know her.
