Pat Schake

Patty Faye Schake, age 84, of Geneva, Nebraska died July 20, 2026 after a brief illness in her home surrounded by her family. Pat was born July 24, 1941 on a farm west of Amherst, Nebraska to Raymond and Mary (Harmoney) Rumbeck. She was the youngest of nine siblings in the family. Pat graduated from Amherst High School in 1959 as class Valedictorian, an accomplishment she was very proud of. In 1961, Pat and Arlen Schake were married in Amherst, Nebraska, six years later settling in Geneva, Nebraska. They made their first home in Pender, Nebraska. In 1961, Brad, their first son, was born in Wahoo, Nebraska. Rodney was born in Geneva in 1963. Robin Schake Galusha was born in 1970 and Terri Schake Swenson was born in 1973. In her early years, Pat enjoyed growing up on the Rumbeck farm with the numerous chores and tasks, which included tending sheep, milking cows, and preparing meals for the large family. As the youngest of nine children, Pat would later recount how she was always the last to eat. The family recipes, which included large pans of homemade cinnamon rolls and runzas, were handed down by her and will always be cherished. In the early years, Pat and Arlen followed the Biba Construction crews to their job sites in many locations in Nebraska. They met many interesting people in their travels including Hazel and Cliff Grote who became life-long friends and future neighbors. In 1968 they made a permanent residence in Geneva. They built their dream home in 2000 on the same property which eventually increased in size to a city block. Pat and Arnie cleaned many lots and planted a variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers in the landscape which their children helped take care of. Over the years of hot Nebraska summers, Pat patiently mastered her gardening skills as she lovingly and painstakingly cultivated her expansive city lot, transforming it into something more than merely a backyard. Pat collected and raised shrubs, trees, and various exotic plants. The sturdy bald cypress with gnarled and massive roots, the towering tulip tree, exotic gingko, and the gazebo that her sons built for her as a sanctuary are literal and metaphoric representations of the values she held dear. The vulnerability of her plants was an ever-present source of concern. When Pat was not able to physically help as much, she recruited Robin to take care of the space. Pat was now a supervisor. Pat also made many contributions to the Geneva Public Library Secret Garden. After the boys moved away to college, Pat started a daycare in her home. This became a challenging career and a source of great satisfaction. Years later the day-care children she took care of still returned home to visit her. She enjoyed following their future paths and their numerous successes in life. They have stayed in contact through the years and have looked fondly back at Pat’s Boot Camp. Striving to raise independent, intelligent, and tough children of her own, Pat later applied the same values to numerous children that she provided day-care services for. Pat’s journey through life was enjoying music, education, dance, and the great outdoors. The gazebo that her sons built for her yard became the spot where Pat could sit to enjoy the fruits of her labors. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, husband Arlen Schake, and sisters: Vaughn (Jerry) Hahn, Cherie (Joe) McFarland, JoAnn Todd, Claudia (Burns) Bowers, Jean (Larry)Albright: and brother Jerry (Jane) Rumbeck. Survivors include her sons: Brad (Ann) Schake of Los Alamos, NM; Rod (Ruth) Schake of Ashland, NE and daughters Robin (Daren) Galusha of Fairmont, NE and Terri (Mark) Swenson of Sioux Falls, SD: 10 grandchildren: Morgan Schake(Mark Anderson) of Marlborough, MA, Hayley Schake(Adam Willman) of Los Alamos, NM, Sydney Schake of Wellington, New Zealand, Chris (Nycole) Schake of Omaha, NE, Jaclyn Schake, (Tyler Povondra), Jacob Galusha of Los Alamos, NM, Madison (Tate Oaks) of Lincoln, NE, Sadie Swenson of Chicago, IL, Sage Swenson of DeGraff, MN, Sophia Swenson of Omaha, NE. Great grandchildren: Amelia Schake of Omaha, Lilian, Liam, Lawson Schake of Omaha, NE. She is survived by sister Jane (Bill) Ripp, brother Pete Rumbeck, and brother-in-law Stan (Connie) Schake. A private Graveside Committal of Ashes for Pat was held on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Geneva Public Cemetery. Kim Dunker presided over the Services. The song, “Save The Last Dance For Me,” was played during the Graveside Service. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials are suggested to the ‘Encore For The Arts Theatre Fundraising Project” for Fillmore Central Public Schools.

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Pat Schake

July 24, 1941 - July 20, 2026