Kenneth George Schneider
June 7, 1944 — April 10, 2024
Kenneth George Schneider, the son of Walter George and Doris Susan (Finken)
Schneider, was born on June 7, 1944, in Earling, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St.Boniface School in Westphalia, Iowa where he graduated from in 1962. Ken was united inmarriage to Kim McGuire on February 12, 1983.
After graduation from high school, he worked for local farmers and at the Western Iowa Pork Plant. He also served in the Iowa Army National Guard. In 1967, he moved to Portsmouth, Iowa, where he started his farm operation. Ken was a grain and livestock farmer who raised crops, hogs, and cattle but was especially proud to be a cattleman for 50 years until his retirement in 2018. Ken was a proud recipient of both the Shelby County Pork Producer and Shelby County Cattle Producer of the Year awards. He was a collector of all things John Deere, both full-size and mini. He also passed on his love for farming to his sons.
Ken was a member of St. Mary's Our Lady of Fatima Church. He served on the Parish
Council and on the Cass Township Cemetery Board. As a well respected and loved member of the community, Ken was known by many for his hard work ethic and friendly demeanor. Ken would tell anyone that he was "blessed to have such good neighbors." He enjoyed listening to old country music, playing with his grandchildren, and eating many different kinds of ice cream with a fork. Ken never missed a family gathering and loved his trips to visit his children and grandchildren where Kim "did the driving, while he did the looking".
Ken passed away peacefully on April 10, 2024 at Hansen House in Harlan, Iowa surrounded by his family at the age of seventy nine years old after his battle with Alzheimer's. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Russell Schneider; brother, Richard Schneider; brother, and Jane Foxhoven; sister. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Kim Schneider of Portsmouth, Iowa; seven children, Michelle (David) Thompson of Johnston, Iowa; Cynthia (Perry) Gjersvik of Clive, Iowa; Douglas Schneider of Panama, Iowa; Valerie (David) Jansen of Ankeny, Iowa; Michael (Ashley) Schneider of Portsmouth, Iowa; Andrew (Clarissa) Schneider of Portsmouth, Iowa; Julie Schneider and fiancé Josh Travis of Harlan, Iowa; siblings, Jerome "Buzz" (Connie) Schneider of Harlan, Iowa; Allen (Sue) Schneider of Harlan, Iowa; Mary (Gary) Fitzgerald of Clare, Iowa; Denise (Mark) Andries of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Jeanie (Ken) Friesen of Crescent, Iowa; Sandy (John) Busch of Defiance, Iowa, and Pam Gingrich of Greenwood, South Carolina; sisters-in-law, Jan Schneider of Avoca, Iowa; Barb Fulitano of West Des Moines, Iowa; his 11 grandchildren; and other relatives and many friends.
An 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial was held on April 13, 2024 at 11:00 am at St. Mary's Our Lady of Fatima Church in Portsmouth, Iowa with Father Wayne Gubbels as Celebrant. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers were: Douglas Schneider, Michael Schneider, Andrew Schneider, Matthew Thompson, and Colton Schneider. Interment was in St. Mary's Our Lady of Fatima Cemetery in Portsmouth, Iowa.
Close The Gate
by Nancy Kraayenhof
For this one farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head,
Your time has been and struggles enough, put the tractor in the shed.
Years were not easy, many downright hard, but your faith in God transcended,
Put away your tools and sleep in peace. The fences have all been mended.
You raised a fine family, worked the land well and always followed the Son,
Hang up your shovel inside of the barn; your work here on earth is done.
A faith few possess led your journey through life, often a jagged and stony way,
The sun is setting, the cattle are all bedded, and here now is the end of your day.
Your love of God’s soil has passed on to your kin; the stories flow like fine wine,
Wash off your work boots in the puddle left by blessed rain one final time.
You always believed that the good Lord would provide and He always had somehow,
Take off your gloves and put them down, no more sweat and worry for you now.
Your labor is done, your home now is heaven; no more must you wait,
Your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and we will close the gate.
Family suggests monetary donations in Kenneth's name be made to: Walk to End Alzheimers or Hansen House in Harlan.
Schneider, was born on June 7, 1944, in Earling, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St.Boniface School in Westphalia, Iowa where he graduated from in 1962. Ken was united inmarriage to Kim McGuire on February 12, 1983.
After graduation from high school, he worked for local farmers and at the Western Iowa Pork Plant. He also served in the Iowa Army National Guard. In 1967, he moved to Portsmouth, Iowa, where he started his farm operation. Ken was a grain and livestock farmer who raised crops, hogs, and cattle but was especially proud to be a cattleman for 50 years until his retirement in 2018. Ken was a proud recipient of both the Shelby County Pork Producer and Shelby County Cattle Producer of the Year awards. He was a collector of all things John Deere, both full-size and mini. He also passed on his love for farming to his sons.
Ken was a member of St. Mary's Our Lady of Fatima Church. He served on the Parish
Council and on the Cass Township Cemetery Board. As a well respected and loved member of the community, Ken was known by many for his hard work ethic and friendly demeanor. Ken would tell anyone that he was "blessed to have such good neighbors." He enjoyed listening to old country music, playing with his grandchildren, and eating many different kinds of ice cream with a fork. Ken never missed a family gathering and loved his trips to visit his children and grandchildren where Kim "did the driving, while he did the looking".
Ken passed away peacefully on April 10, 2024 at Hansen House in Harlan, Iowa surrounded by his family at the age of seventy nine years old after his battle with Alzheimer's. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Russell Schneider; brother, Richard Schneider; brother, and Jane Foxhoven; sister. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Kim Schneider of Portsmouth, Iowa; seven children, Michelle (David) Thompson of Johnston, Iowa; Cynthia (Perry) Gjersvik of Clive, Iowa; Douglas Schneider of Panama, Iowa; Valerie (David) Jansen of Ankeny, Iowa; Michael (Ashley) Schneider of Portsmouth, Iowa; Andrew (Clarissa) Schneider of Portsmouth, Iowa; Julie Schneider and fiancé Josh Travis of Harlan, Iowa; siblings, Jerome "Buzz" (Connie) Schneider of Harlan, Iowa; Allen (Sue) Schneider of Harlan, Iowa; Mary (Gary) Fitzgerald of Clare, Iowa; Denise (Mark) Andries of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Jeanie (Ken) Friesen of Crescent, Iowa; Sandy (John) Busch of Defiance, Iowa, and Pam Gingrich of Greenwood, South Carolina; sisters-in-law, Jan Schneider of Avoca, Iowa; Barb Fulitano of West Des Moines, Iowa; his 11 grandchildren; and other relatives and many friends.
An 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial was held on April 13, 2024 at 11:00 am at St. Mary's Our Lady of Fatima Church in Portsmouth, Iowa with Father Wayne Gubbels as Celebrant. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers were: Douglas Schneider, Michael Schneider, Andrew Schneider, Matthew Thompson, and Colton Schneider. Interment was in St. Mary's Our Lady of Fatima Cemetery in Portsmouth, Iowa.
Close The Gate
by Nancy Kraayenhof
For this one farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head,
Your time has been and struggles enough, put the tractor in the shed.
Years were not easy, many downright hard, but your faith in God transcended,
Put away your tools and sleep in peace. The fences have all been mended.
You raised a fine family, worked the land well and always followed the Son,
Hang up your shovel inside of the barn; your work here on earth is done.
A faith few possess led your journey through life, often a jagged and stony way,
The sun is setting, the cattle are all bedded, and here now is the end of your day.
Your love of God’s soil has passed on to your kin; the stories flow like fine wine,
Wash off your work boots in the puddle left by blessed rain one final time.
You always believed that the good Lord would provide and He always had somehow,
Take off your gloves and put them down, no more sweat and worry for you now.
Your labor is done, your home now is heaven; no more must you wait,
Your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and we will close the gate.
Family suggests monetary donations in Kenneth's name be made to: Walk to End Alzheimers or Hansen House in Harlan.
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