Leona Catherine (Cummings) Umberger better known as Kate, of Fairfax, South Dakota, was born October 14, 1935, the fifth child of nine of Otto and Lena (Weaver) Cummings and was born in Waymansville, Indiana . She was married to Ivan Joseph Umberger for nearly 56 years and to this union were five children, Ivan E, Gary, Mark, Larry, and Leana Schmitz. Ivan passed in January of 2008.

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, great grand daughter Bobbi Jo Umberger and great grandson Cage Landers.

Kate is survived by her sisters Betta Cassidy, Nora May Hawkins, Joy Crocker, Lura “Tiny” Reeves, and Eileen Roberts. Children Ivan and Julie Umberger, Cindi Umberger, Mark and Lorri Umberger, Larry and Denise Umberger, Leana and Vic Schmitz. Kate’s family tree included 19 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Kate, while growing up in Missouri, had lived in Burke and Fairfax area most of her adult life and was never afraid of challenges including working at Sharps Trailers as a painter, owned and operated a shoe repair shop, worked in nursing homes in Winner and Butte, 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.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. There will be a prayer service on Wednesday at 7:00 PM at the Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to both services at the funeral home.