Contributed by Chris Spangler

A woman known for recognizing others has received recognition herself.

The Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented Dr. Mabel G. Schumacher with
its national Medal of Honor during a reception Sunday, Dec. 29, at the American Legion Dugout.

“It has come to our attention that an individual has gone above and beyond the definition of volunteer. We are here to honor
her,” chapter Regent Nancy Olson said in welcoming guests. She noted that the Medal of Honor is the most prestigious
recognition given by the DAR. It is presented to a United States citizen by birth who has shown extraordinary qualities of
leadership, trustworthiness, service and patriotism, and only nine were given in 2023. “Congratulations Mabel. You have earned this,” Olson said in presenting a framed certificate as Chapter Treasurer Mary Narkis pinned the Medal of Honor on Schumacher’s lapel. Chapter Registrar Jessica Punzel outlined Schumacher’s many community contributions leading up to this day.

She noted that Schumacher was born in Milwaukee but moved to Whitewater with her family when she was 10 years old in 1954. The following year, in May of 1955, she was awarded as the American History Fifth-Grade Essay winner from the Eli Pierce Chapter of the DAR.

“Who would’ve thought that 70 years later, the DAR would come full circle in Mabel’s life?” Punzel said.

The co-valedictorian of Whitewater High School in 1962, Schumacher graduated from what was then the University of
Wisconsin-Whitewater State Teachers College in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in special education.

However, Punzel said, “As a freshman, Mabel was assigned to an office as a student assistant, and would meet her future husband, Vernon. They would later marry in 1984 and celebrate a wonderful 29 years together before his passing in 2013.” Schumacher earned her master’s degree in special education from UW-Whitewater in 1971 and then her doctorate with a major in reading and minor in school administration from UW-Madison in 1978.

“While furthering her own knowledge, Mabel moved to improve the education for children throughout the state. She first taught
special education at Waller School in Burlington from 1968-74. When she enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to
pursue her PhD, Mabel became the program assistant in the Education Department for a year. In the summer of 1975, Mabel was hired as assistant director for the Racine County Handicapped Children’s Education Board, a position that she would hold for nine years before becoming the director in 1984,” Punzel said.

After four years, Schumacher was hired as Supervisor of Student Services in the Wauwatosa School District, where she remained for two years, followed by a year at Sheboygan Area School District as the Coordinator of Special Education.

“In the summer of 1991, she was appointed to the Fort Atkinson School District as the director of instruction. And here she would
stay,” Punzel said. “Mabel continued to improve students’ education in Fort Atkinson for the next 10 years before her retirement in the summer of 2001.”

Retirement brought new opportunities, she said, noting that the Schumachers moved to the Fort Atkinson area in 1993 and fell
in love with the community.

“They enjoyed filling a couple of shopping carts full of food and delivering it to the Food Pantry once a month. Mabel also served as a board member and campaign co-chairperson for the United Way, and for 11 years has served as the secretary of the Tuesday Club,” Punzel shared. “She has been honored to serve as past-president and executive director of the Wisconsin Schools Public Relations Association.

“However, it was the love of our furry friends and through the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson, where she would become a board
member, treasurer and instigator,” Punzel added.

She said Schumacher’s love of animals and pride in her late husband’s service in the Air Force during World War II became the driving force for many projects she has undertaken in the community. It started in 2011, when she successfully established a human-pet drinking fountain on the Glacial River Trail in Fort Atkinson.

“But one of her greatest achievements came in 2015, when Mabel went before state Legislature to help Wisconsin acknowledge K-9 Veterans Day,” Punzel said. “Her dedication to veterans and their animal companions pushed her to succeed in the campaign, and on March 17, 2015, Wisconsin granted her proposal to recognize March 13 as K-9 Veterans Day in Wisconsin.

“Since that year, Mabel has coordinated and hosted the Fort Atkinson K-9 Veterans Day ceremony. Each year, she recognizes local K-9 handlers and their canine partners from law enforcement to the military.”

Punzel noted that Schumacher next created the War Dogs Memorial in McCoy Park, which was established through fundraising efforts by Schumacher and the Kennel Club.

“Mabel’s image for the memorial honors the 335 Wisconsin military and working dogs that have died in service or lost their lives in the line of duty, one of them being a local young man and his canine companion during the Vietnam War,” Punzel said, referring to Marine Corps Lance Corporal Terry Beck of Fort Atkinson and his German Shepherd scout dog, “Seato,” both of whom were killed in action in 1967.

And at age 80 and in only six months this year, Schumacher spearheaded, planned, fundraised and ultimately completed another McCoy Park memorial, Punzel said. “Titled ‘Worth Fighting For,’ the World War II memorial salutes both veterans and those who contributed on the home front during the war.

“The moving ceremony honored local World War II veterans who had lost their lives in the conflict and hosted five veterans and ‘Rosies’ who are still with us today. There was not a dry eye in the crowd,” Punzel recalled. She emphasized that Schumacher does not create these projects for personal recognition or glory. Rather, she does it to leave a lasting reminder for her community.

In addition, Schumacher helped establish the endowed Terry Beck Protective Services Scholarship Fund at the Fort Atkinson
Community Foundation and in 2021 unveiled the Kennel Club’s “Puppy Serenade” sculpture in Rock River Park. A generous
supporter of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Atkinson Police Department’s K-9 Units, she was presented the
Fort Atkinson Community Foundation’s Making Fort Special award in 2023.

“During the time that our chapter members have come to know her, Mabel is, in one word, ‘humble.’ Her love of community and
country shines through in her everyday life, and it would be hard to imagine a world without people like her,” Punzel concluded.

Also offering remarks was Master Sgt. (Retired) Dan Juday, a member of the local Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations. “I have known Mabel for about 10 years now; we first met during one of her many civic-minded art projects,” he said. “Her drive to improve the community through recognition and visual artistry is commendable. Spearheading the K-9 Veterans Day, K-9 Veterans Memorial and World War II memorial were monumental tasks which she handled with ease.”

He noted that, thanks to Schumacher’s efforts, Wisconsin became the 13th state to recognize War Dogs Day, also known as K-9 Veterans Day.

“This was in conjunction with her devout leadership in designing, coordinating and presenting a one-of-a-kind K-9 memorial which not only honors working dogs, but also a local military working dog team,” Juday said, referring to Beck and Seato.

He said that Schumacher organizes an annual ceremony on March 13 to honor working dogs and their handlers across the
state, as well as those K-9s that died during the past year. In addition, Juday said, Schumacher also has remembered those who have served in other wars, including World War II, during which her late husband, Vernon, served in Air Force. “Being a philanthropist at heart, Mabel was solely responsible in providing the City of Fort Atkinson with a truly unique World War II monument,” Juday said. “The memorial honors all who contributed in the success of the war. From veterans to Rosie the Riveters, the all- encompassing stainless-steel, hand-crafted globe stands as a point of reflection and remembrance to everyone who sees it. Her steadfast determination to bring a multitude of different perspectives and craftsmen together in a staggeringly short period of time (six months) led to a magnificent result garnering numerous accolades.”

Juday said that, throughout the years, he has witnessed Schumacher’s advocacy of all things that make a community thrive and embrace patriotism.

“Her support of our veteran community, as well as recognition of their sacrifices, has brought people from all over the country to
bear witness to her truly unique vision! I am honored to have worked with Mabel on so many worthwhile projects and am
blessed to have her as such a good friend. This honor bestowed upon her is undeniably fitting,” he concluded.

Schumacher said that it was with “profound humility and appreciation that I accept this wonderful honor.” She thanked all
who played a role in the many projects undertaken, adding, “This day could never have happened without you.” At the very foundation of it all is the wonderful City of Fort Atkinson, Schumacher noted.

“Believe me when I tell you that Fort Atkinson is unique. I have worked places where my co-workers told me that they had lived in that community for 30 years and was still considered an outsider. I have worked in other places where it would have been considered “overstepping” if an ordinary citizen had advanced an idea for a project. If it were not scoffed at, it would have eventually been ignored.

“Fort Atkinson is a place that accepts and fosters creativity and giving,” she continued. “It is a community that allows
individuals to be who they are and provides a climate that helps them thrive. I say thank you to all who made this day possible.”

At the program’s conclusion, she was delightedly surprised by a visit from two special guests: K-9s Butch and Balko and their
handlers, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputies Dylan Agnew and Scott Gukich, respectively.

Also participating in the ceremony were DAR Vice Regent Janet Stehling, who led the Pledge of Allegiance, and DAR Chaplain
Valerie Cole, who offered the invocation and benediction. Cookies and other sweet treats baked by Punzel, co-owner of the BonTon Bakery in Jefferson, were served following the ceremony.

Organized in 1899, the Fort Atkinson Chapter of DAR was one of the earliest and largest chapters in Wisconsin for many years.
In 1992, it merged with the Eli Pierce Chapter, which was founded in Whitewater in 1941.

Today, chapter members reside in Fort Atkinson, Watertown, Lake Mills, Jefferson, Whitewater, Milton, Janesville and
surrounding communities, as well as in several other states.

Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter members on Sunday presented Dr. Mabel Schumacher
of Fort Atkinson with the national Medal of Honor. Pictured from left are: chapter member Chris Spangler, chapter member Jane
Fary, chapter Regent Nancy Olson, Schumacher, chapter Treasurer Mary Narkis, Honorary State Regent Brenda Majewski of the Milwaukee chapter, chapter Registrar Jessica Punzel and chapter Vice Regent Janet Stehling. [Photos by Chris Spangler]

DAR Medal of Honor recipient Mabel Schumacher gleefully greets K-9s Butch and Balko and their handlers, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputies Dylan Agnew and Scott Gukich, respectively. Schumacher has spearheaded efforts to salute veterans and war dogs with monuments in Fort Atkinson’s McCoy Park.

Honoree Mabel Schumacher thanks the DAR for the Medal of Honor recognition. Seated behind her from left are Registrar
Jessica Punzel, Treasurer Mary Narkis, Chaplain Valerie Cole and Vice Regent Janet Stehling.