Chong Shumate

     Chong Ae Shumate was born on May 20, 1945, to Sun Ki Kim and Yon Sun Pak in Chonju, South Korea and was the oldest of nine children, with one sister and seven brothers. She moved to the United States in 1968. Chong was united in marriage to Frederick Shumate in February of 1980. The couple lived in Tacoma, Washington, Miliani, Hawaii and Colorado Springs, Colorado before settling in Dow City, Iowa in 1987, after Fred retired from the Army.

     Chong was an avid gardener and could make anything grow. She enjoyed crocheting things for family and friends and was an amazing cook who could whip up anything without a recipe. Most of all, Chong loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and her many close friends.

     Chong died on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the Crawford County Hospital in Denison, Iowa at the age of 77 years, 11 months and 27 days.

     Chong was preceded in death by her father, mother and two brothers; She is survived by her husband, Fred Shumate of Dow City; children, Beverly and her husband Kirby Bell of Orlando, Florida, Russell Shumate of Altoona, Iowa and Kimberly Currin of Denton, Texas; grandchildren, Andrew and Lauren; siblings, one sister and five brothers; and many other relatives and friends.