Alta Kumm
Alta Elizabeth (Schmitt) Kumm was born Dec. 25, 1941, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, to Eldon Henry and Frances L. (Hankla) Schmitt. She died Feb. 6, 2020, at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley at the age of 78.
Alta finished her elementary and secondary education in Scottsbluff and later attended college in Bethany, Oklahoma, for four years, getting her teachers certificate specializing in music. She taught in several schools including Sidney, Nebraska, Dix, Nebraska, Lamar, Nebraska, and at the Assembly of God Church’s private school.
Alta was raised and baptized in the Scottsbluff Nazarene Church and continued worshipping in the Holyoke church until the Holyoke church closed. She then started to attend the Holyoke Methodist Church until she could no longer attend, so Alta and Keith did the next best thing: They started to watch services on the television from home.
After Alta retired from teaching, she married the love of her life, Keith Duane Kumm, on May 25, 1984, at the Holyoke Nazarene Church, officiated by Pastor Ron Williams. She and Keith enjoyed fishing and anything else they could do as long as they were together. In 1994 Keith had a serious illness which stopped their favorite adventure of fishing.
Alta continued sharing her talent of music for years by singing, leading the church choir and playing the piano. She enjoyed reading, especially fiction and nonfiction Christian study books and Christian novels. She gathered a collection of Christian CDs and DVDs for herself and children.
Alta had developed diabetes which led to losing some toes. Ambulation became more difficult. One year ago, Keith could no longer help her around the house so she moved to Regent Park in Holyoke until Jan. 31, 2020, when she suffered a heart attack and developed severe pneumonia. She was flown to North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, where she stayed until her death.
Alta was preceded in death by her parents, Eldon and Frances Schmitt; a brother, Glenn E. and wife Cleta Schmitt; and sister, Ramona and husband Harold Thane.
Alta is survived by her nephew, Daryle Schmitt, formally of Duncan, Oklahoma, and Betty Stettner of Sidney, Nebraska; along with other relatives and friends. She will be greatly missed.
The funeral service was scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 10 a.m. at Baucke Funeral Chapel in Holyoke, with Pastor Darrell Dennis officiating. Interment was to be held at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in rural Holyoke.
Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.