Michael Ryan Schoemann
February 22, 1989 — October 29, 2024
Michael Ryan Schoemann was born to Rita Schoemann and Gregory McGrew on February 22, 1989 in Huntsville, Alabama. He was baptized at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Iowa and attended church at St. Michael’s in Harlan for many years. Michael attended grade school at St. Michael’s Catholic School until 6th grade when he moved to Harlan Community Schools. After graduation, Michael attended the University of Northen Iowa for Architecture.
Michael had many hobbies but he especially loved to play football and frisbee golf. He always enjoyed drawing and was great at it. He took his love of art and applied it to his job at an art exhibit. In his free time he liked to cheer for the Minnesota Vikings football team. When Michael wasn't spending time with his grandpa, he spent our childhood years playing Legend of Zelda, 007, Smash Bros, and Pokémon Puzzle League. Playing Yugioh, and Pokémon the card games, he watched the shows of the same name, along with DragonBall Z, Naruto, and other anime. He had a special love for Kung fu movies and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. As we grew up, he liked to play Diablo and Final Fantasy, which fueled his interest in fantasy worlds and his infatuation with dragons. Michael was adventurous, outgoing, and resourceful. He had a deep appreciation for nature and all of life's beauty; here or otherworldly. He was drawn to mountains, forests, other cultures, space, and particularly water. He was never afraid to take risks and embrace new experiences. He enjoyed travel, hiking, biking, and flying and was intrigued by science and the possibility of all things, particularly the possibility of flight. He had a curious mind and loved exploring new ideas. He was always eager to learn and grow. Creative in every sense of the word, Michael was an insanely talented artist, an articulate writer/poet, and was also musically inclined. He even tried his hand at playing the guitar. His taste in music couldn't have been more diverse, and it was the best way to get to know him. He has rhythm in his soul and was a sight to be seen on the dance floor. His connection to music was inspiring and beautiful to understand and witness. Along with his innate musical eminence, he was also inherently athletic. Although he played for the love of the game, whether he was on a field, a court, a diamond, or a frolf course, he could be described as a linedriver. With his massive size, muscular build, and competitive spirit, I'm sure he was never picked last for dodgeball. He built lifelong friendships in those locker rooms, school halls, and busses. Through the years, he mentioned his high school buddies often. Michael's experience playing football in high school and his love for hardcore music made him a force to be reckoned with when he discovered the mosh pit. If you can imagine, a human bulldozer. Michael was very passionate about steak and hot sauce, but he definitely had a sweet tooth as well, and was hard pressed to pass up a bowl of cereal, a chocolate frosty, or a beautiful bodacious woman. He also appreciated a good piece of cake, honey buns, and my Aunt Anne's gingerbread cookies. Michael was spiritual and believed in God. He held his faith in his heart as well as on his sleeve. He was supportive, a seeker of truth, a dreamer, a lover, a teacher, and a believer. He strived to understand and to be understood, and he valued connection, family, friendship, oral hygiene, love, learning, and faith over everything else.
Michael passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Eugene Schoemann.
He is survived by his mother, Rita Schoemann-Griffen of Monroeville, AL; father, Gregory McGrew of Colorado; step-father, Leon Griffen of Avoca, IA; siblings: Chuck Crawley of Cedar Rapids, IA; Jade McGrew of CO; Jasmine McGrew of CA; Rebecca Craig of Colorado Springs, CO; Matthew Griffen of Grinnell, IA; Megan Griffen of Avoca, IA; nephew and niece: Jaevon and Josie; grandmother, Thelma Schoemann of Portsmouth; uncles: David Schoemann of Cedar Falls, IA; Gregory Schoemann of Modesto, CA; Jeffery Schoemann of Avoca, IA; William Schoemann of San Antonio, TX; aunts: Ann Mellinger of Portsmouth, IA; Patricia Schoemann of Logan, IA; Barbara Kleyman of Portsmouth, IA; Janet Sharp of New Market, AL; many cousins and friends.
Michael had many hobbies but he especially loved to play football and frisbee golf. He always enjoyed drawing and was great at it. He took his love of art and applied it to his job at an art exhibit. In his free time he liked to cheer for the Minnesota Vikings football team. When Michael wasn't spending time with his grandpa, he spent our childhood years playing Legend of Zelda, 007, Smash Bros, and Pokémon Puzzle League. Playing Yugioh, and Pokémon the card games, he watched the shows of the same name, along with DragonBall Z, Naruto, and other anime. He had a special love for Kung fu movies and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. As we grew up, he liked to play Diablo and Final Fantasy, which fueled his interest in fantasy worlds and his infatuation with dragons. Michael was adventurous, outgoing, and resourceful. He had a deep appreciation for nature and all of life's beauty; here or otherworldly. He was drawn to mountains, forests, other cultures, space, and particularly water. He was never afraid to take risks and embrace new experiences. He enjoyed travel, hiking, biking, and flying and was intrigued by science and the possibility of all things, particularly the possibility of flight. He had a curious mind and loved exploring new ideas. He was always eager to learn and grow. Creative in every sense of the word, Michael was an insanely talented artist, an articulate writer/poet, and was also musically inclined. He even tried his hand at playing the guitar. His taste in music couldn't have been more diverse, and it was the best way to get to know him. He has rhythm in his soul and was a sight to be seen on the dance floor. His connection to music was inspiring and beautiful to understand and witness. Along with his innate musical eminence, he was also inherently athletic. Although he played for the love of the game, whether he was on a field, a court, a diamond, or a frolf course, he could be described as a linedriver. With his massive size, muscular build, and competitive spirit, I'm sure he was never picked last for dodgeball. He built lifelong friendships in those locker rooms, school halls, and busses. Through the years, he mentioned his high school buddies often. Michael's experience playing football in high school and his love for hardcore music made him a force to be reckoned with when he discovered the mosh pit. If you can imagine, a human bulldozer. Michael was very passionate about steak and hot sauce, but he definitely had a sweet tooth as well, and was hard pressed to pass up a bowl of cereal, a chocolate frosty, or a beautiful bodacious woman. He also appreciated a good piece of cake, honey buns, and my Aunt Anne's gingerbread cookies. Michael was spiritual and believed in God. He held his faith in his heart as well as on his sleeve. He was supportive, a seeker of truth, a dreamer, a lover, a teacher, and a believer. He strived to understand and to be understood, and he valued connection, family, friendship, oral hygiene, love, learning, and faith over everything else.
Michael passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Eugene Schoemann.
He is survived by his mother, Rita Schoemann-Griffen of Monroeville, AL; father, Gregory McGrew of Colorado; step-father, Leon Griffen of Avoca, IA; siblings: Chuck Crawley of Cedar Rapids, IA; Jade McGrew of CO; Jasmine McGrew of CA; Rebecca Craig of Colorado Springs, CO; Matthew Griffen of Grinnell, IA; Megan Griffen of Avoca, IA; nephew and niece: Jaevon and Josie; grandmother, Thelma Schoemann of Portsmouth; uncles: David Schoemann of Cedar Falls, IA; Gregory Schoemann of Modesto, CA; Jeffery Schoemann of Avoca, IA; William Schoemann of San Antonio, TX; aunts: Ann Mellinger of Portsmouth, IA; Patricia Schoemann of Logan, IA; Barbara Kleyman of Portsmouth, IA; Janet Sharp of New Market, AL; many cousins and friends.
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