Eighth Generation

453. Rev. Kenneth Wayne "Ken" SCHAMENS was born on 19 September 1933 in Random Lake, Sheboygan County, WI.^89,482 Biographical Sketch: "Kenneth W. Schamens, Colonel, USAF (Ret.), graduated from Tomah High School, Tomah, WI, in 1951. He received a BME degree from Lawrence University, Appleton, WI; an MA from Webster University, St Louis, MO; and an MAR from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO.

Upon graduating from pilot training at Goodfellow AFB, TX, he flew C-124 aircraft from 1957-1965 at Donaldson AFB, SC and Hunter AFB, GA. From 1965-1969, he held various management and planning positions involving tactical and combat operations of C-130 airlift aircraft at Hq. 315th Air Division, Tachikawa AB, Japan and Hq. 7th Air Force at Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam. From 1969-1974, Schamens was assigned to the Pentagon (DCS Programs & Resources) where he was responsible for force structure and budgeting matters for strategic airlift, including early analyses to consolidate strategic and tactical airlift forces under the Military Airlift Command (MAC) as the single manager as a specified command for all DOD/JCS airlift resources. He assisted in developing the C-5 program, including studies to enhance the C-5 service life.

From 1974-1979, he served at HQ. MAC, 'co-authored' the Tactical/Strategic Airlift Consolidation Plan (Oct 75) and was one of the early participants in creating the joint (JCS--Army, Navy and Air Force) US Transportation Command. He was promoted to Colonel (0-6) in 1977. A Command Pilot with 6,000 plus hours, he was Assistant DCS Air Transportation at MAC (currently the Air Mobility Command) when he retired January 1, 1980.

His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 3 devices, Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon with 4 oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 silver & 3 Bronze oak leaf clusters, Republic of Vietnam Gallant Cross, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Ordained into the Lutheran ministry in 1982, he was the mission developer/pastor for Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Anderson, SC; Eternal Shepherd Lutheran Church in Seneca, SC; and Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL. He was president of the Greater Anderson Rotary Club, and chaplain for the National Airlift/Tanker Association, an association of military and industrial leaders dedicated to the preservation of "airlift" as a national asset. He authored 'On wings of Air Mobility' (an Ode to Airlift & Tankers) published in the heritage book containing the History of U.S. Airlift and Tanker Forces.

He retired from the full-time 'call' to ministry Sept. 19, 1998 and is currently the Chairman of the 'Veterans of the Cross,' an organization of 400-plus senior Lutheran pastors, teachers and spouses located in the Eastern US. He continues to serve as pastor emeritus at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL."
He appeared in the census in 1940 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁶⁴ He graduated in 1951 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁸³ from Tomah High School. Ken graduated about 1955 in Appleton, Outagamie County, WI.⁸⁹ from Lawrence University with a BME degree and a major in Instrumental Music. He graduated about 1960 in St. Louis (Independent City), MO.⁸⁹ from Webster University with an MA Degree. He graduated about 1964 in St. Louis (Independent City), MO.⁸⁹ from Concordia Seminary with an MAR Degree. Ken lived at his home in Gainesville, Alucha County, FL in August 2002.⁷⁵ He lived in Ocala, Marion County, FL in August 2014.¹⁰⁴

Rev. Kenneth Wayne "Ken" SCHAMENS and Norma "Jane" ERICKSON were married on 21 July 1956 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.^87,484 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Norma "Jane" ERICKSON, daughter of Otis M. ERICKSON and Sadie Charlotte NIEMEIER, was born on 21 October 1932 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.^89,130 Biographical sketch: "A life-long Lutheran, Norma Jane (Erickson) Schamens was born in Sparta, WI, October 21, 1932. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, where she sang in the well-known St. Olaf Choir. She also earned a Master of Arts Degree in management from Webster College, St Louis, MO.

She was the Choral Director at Tomah High School, Tomah, WI, when she met her husband at a music conference in La Crosse, WI. Life changed to the "fast lane" for Jane---the name she prefers--on the day she married Ken, July 21, 1956. They flew off to Texas on their honeymoon so Ken could enter USAF pilot training the next day. While her pilot husband flew around the world, Jane served her Lord and her family as church musician, lay leader, household engineer, and logistics and transportation coordinator for ten relocations, while actively teaching and mothering three children-David, Julie and Thomas.

Jane has been involved the development of Lutheran mission congregations and taught school in Greenville, SC; Tachikawa, Japan; Bangkok, Thailand, O'Fallon, IL, Anderson, SC, and Gainesville, FL. She served as organist and choir director at Good Shepherd Lutheran, Greenville, SC; Martin Luther (now Trinity Lutheran), Savannah, GA; Bethany Lutheran, Alexandria, VA; Good Shepherd Lutheran, Collinsville, IL; Faith Lutheran and Bethany Lutheran, O'Fallon, IL; Abiding Savior Lutheran, in Anderson, SC; and Armed Forces and civilian missions in Japan and Thailand.

Jane is both a composer and a servant leader. Her musical composition was selected by the International Lutheran Layman League (LLL) to be sung at their 1991 Convention. In 1987, she was one of four ladies in the United States selected by the International Lutheran Women's Missionary League (ILWML) to represent them as a "Discipling-Woman-to-Woman" in Great Britain. She served as President of the Carolinas District, LWML from 1988-1991 and Vice President of the Florida-Georgia District LWML from 1993-1999. She was one of the initial 20 LCMS women chosen nationwide to train as a consultant for Mission, Ministry, and Vision. She served as a Florida-Georgia lay delegate to the 2001 synodical convention. Jane was minister of music at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL, from 1991 until 1999 and currently serves her congregation as Bible Study leader and organist.

After 25 years as part the Air Force family, the Chief of Staff, USAF, wrote: "Jane has earned grateful appreciation for her own unselfish, faithful and devoted service." Since 1981, Jane has not only been a devoted and loving pastor's wife, she continues to make lasting contributions to our Lord and His church. While she is a tower of strength for her husband and family, she is tireless in her ministry and service to the Church. She continues to set the highest standards for excellence as a church organist and provides valuable lay leadership for our Lord and His Church. Jane Schamens is truly a servant of Christ.

With thanks to God for all He has enabled Jane to be and do, we rise to say: "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
She graduated about 1954 in Northfield, Rice County, MN.^89,484 from St. Olaf College with a major in Music. She died in October 2021 at the age of 89 in Ocala, Marion County, FL. Obituary Notes: "Norma Jane (Erickson) Schamens was the daughter of the late Otis M and Sadie C Erickson. She was born, October 21, 1932, baptized on Nov. 13 1932 and confirmed May 19, 1946 at St John Lutheran Church in Sparta WI. Her mother said she came out of the womb playing the piano. One day, at age 4, her mother asked her why she was crying. She replied "I want a piano."

Norma Jane graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota in 1954. Yes, she sang in the well known St Olaf Choir, starting her first year at St Olaf. She also earned a Master of Arts Degree in management from Webster College, St Louis Mo. Norma Jane was the choral director at Tomah High School, Tomah, Wisconsin when she met her husband at a music conference in La Crosse Wisconsin.

Life changed to the "fast lane" for Jane---the name she prefers--on the day she married Ken, July 21, 1956. They flew off to Texas on their honeymoon so Ken could enter USAF pilot training the next day. Jane has been "flying" ever since. While her pilot husband flew around the world, Jane served her Lord and her family as church musician, household engineer, logistics and transportation coordinator for 14 re-locations while actively teaching and mothering three children, David, Julie and Thomas.

Jane was involved in the development of Lutheran mission congregations and taught school in Greenville, S.C.; Tachikawa, Japan; Bangkok, Thailand, O'Fallon, Ill., Anderson, S.C., and Gainesville, Florida. She served as organist and choir director at Good Shepherd Lutheran, Greenville, SC, Martin Luther (now Trinity Lutheran), Savannah, GA, Bethany Lutheran, Alexandria, VA, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Collinsville, IL, Faith Lutheran and Bethany Lutheran, O'Fallon, IL, Abiding Savior Lutheran, in Anderson, SC, Abiding Savior Lutheran in Gainesville, FL as well as Armed Forces and civilian missions in Japan, and Thailand. Jane was both a composer and a servant leader. Her musical composition was selected by the International Lutheran Layman League (LLL) and sung at their 1991 Convention. In 1987, she was one of four ladies in the United States selected by the International Lutheran Women's Missionary League (ILWML) to represent them as a "Discipling-Woman-to-Woman" in Great Britain. She served as President of the Carolina's District, LWML from 1988-1991 and Vice President of the Florida-Georgia District LWML from 1993-1999. She was one of the initial 20 LCMS women chosen nationwide to train as a consultant for Mission, Ministry, and Vision. She served as a Florida-Georgia lay delegate to the 2001 synodical convention. In 2002, Jane received the Behnken Veterans of the Cross Medallion for her musical service to the Lord and His church.

After 25 years as part the Air Force family, the Chief of Staff, USAF, wrote: "Jane has earned grateful appreciation for her own unselfish, faithful and devoted service. Her unfailing support and understanding helped to make possible her husband's lasting contribution to the nation." Since 1981, Jane has not only been a devoted and loving pastor's wife, she has made numerous musical and leadership contributions to our Lord. While she was a tower of strength for her husband and family, she was tireless in setting the highest standards for excellence as a church organist providing valuable lay leadership to the global mission of connecting Jesus to people's lives. Norma Jane Schamens was truly a loving servant of Christ now celebrating eternity with Him.

She is survived by her husband Ken, children David, Julie (Gaither) and Thomas and grandchildren: Kathryn Schamens, Kristin Gaither, Kendal Marie Schamens and Ericson Schamens, Maurice Schamens (brother-in-law), numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 3 pm on Sunday, October 31, 2021, at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, 9700 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32606. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Abiding Savior Pastoral Scholarship Fund." Jane graduated in St. Louis (Independent City), MO.⁸⁹ from Webster College.

Rev. Kenneth Wayne "Ken" SCHAMENS and Norma "Jane" ERICKSON had the following children: