Richard W. Schnuelle

Richard Wayne Schnuelle, 92, of Rural Diller, NE passed away February 20, 2020 at Homestead House in Beatrice.  He was born September 13, 1927 to Oscar August & Ida Lydia (Engelmann) Schnuelle at Harbine, Nebraska.

He was baptized October 23, 1927 by Pastor Dumin and confirmed May 24, 1942 by Pastor Lampe at Hope Evangelical and Reformed Church of Rural Harbine. His confirmation verse was Hebrews 13:5 “Be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Richard attended grade school at Pleasant, District 42 North of Diller and graduated from Diller High School on May 18, 1944.  After graduation, he went to North Dakota with a wheat harvest crew, worked at Fairbury Livestock Sale Barn and farmed with his Dad.

On September 3, 1950 Richard married Jacqueline J. Rathbun at Ellis Methodist Church by Pastor Esther Young.  To this union were born 5 children Bonnie, Michael, Douglas, Gregory and Bradley.  They lived on a farm near Diller for 9 years and then moved to the family farm 6 miles North of Diller where he put in irrigation.  He went in to Grade A milking in 1959 and milked Holsteins for 40 years.  Jacqueline passed away in 1966.

Richard later married Norma Jean Hestermann Schlake at Immanuel Lutheran Church at rural Sterling, Nebraska by Pastor Wittrock.  Jean had 3 children, Kent, Kaye and Kendall Schlake.  Richard, Jean and the family moved to a new home just north of the family farm.

Richard served on the church board, cemetery board, church youth group and Diller School Board and was a Farm Bureau Member.  He was a life-long member of Hope Evangelical and Reformed/United Church of Christ until its closing.  Richard & Jean then joined St. Paul Lutheran Church in Diller in 2007.

Richard enjoyed all sports and other activities that his children, grand & great-grand children were involved in.

He and Jean were responsible for starting the Nebraska Huntington’s support group.

Richard is survived by son Douglas (Kathy) Schnuelle of Jansen, daughter Bonnie (Roger) Young of York, PA, step-sons Kent (Nadine) Schlake of Gothenburg, NE, Kendall (Lola) Schlake of Fairbury, daughter-in-law Brenda (Don) Betten of Hebron, NE, grandchildren Jason Young of Fairbury, Derek Young of Fort Collins, CO, Anthony (Tami) Schnuelle of Beatrice, NE, Ashley Hawks of Beatrice, Bridget Schnuelle of Hebron, Brandon Schnuelle of Las Vegas, NV, Erin (Lance) Clason of Beaver City, NE, Erica (Michael) Johnson of Gothenburg, NE, Elyse Schlake of Kearney, Jordan (Trish) Schlake of Lincoln, Garrett Schlake of Paris, France, Trevor Schlake, Madison (Parker) Johnson of Lincoln, great-grandchildren  Amber and friend Shane Caroon and daughters Jillian & Bailey, Rebecca, Joshua Young, Skyler& Deagan Young, Paris & Addison Schnuelle, Andrew, Katelyn & Gracie Hawks, Korynn & Kolbryn Clason, Lexi & Lathan Johnson, great-great-grandchildren Mackenzie Criner, Grace Caroon, sisters Elaine (John) Patras of Omaha, Joyce Neumann of DeWitt, Janet (Conrad) Lawrence of Henderson, NV, and Susie Hestermann of Sterling, nieces, nephew, cousins and friends.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, 1 ^st wife Jacqueline, sons Michael, Gregory & Bradley, sisters Arlene & Willard Nippert, sister-in-law Hope Nippert,  Verneal & Charlie Barber, sisters-in-law Jean Smith, Jeanette Mullins and Joanne Schuerman,brother-in-law Herman Neumann, wife Jean, step-daughter Kaye Schlake & brother-in-law Dennis Hestermann.

Services are Monday, February 24, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Diller, NE with Pastor Mark Liscom officiating. The family will greet friends Sunday evening from 6 – 8 at the funeral home.  Memorials have been established to the Family’s Choice in Lieu of flowers.  Burial will be in Prairie Home Cemetery – Diller, NE.  Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  wwwgerdesmeyerfh.com