Bernard Schneider

Bernard Roy Schneider, son of John and Helen (Kuklok) Schneider, was born August 11, 1917 in Swanville, Minnesota, where he grew up and attended Country School District #11. Ben was baptized, received his First Communion and was confirmed at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flensburg, Minnesota. On July 9, 1942, Ben entered the United States Army Air Corps, where he flew 51 missions as a nose gunner in a B-24 Liberator. Ben was very proud of being an American and having served his country. He received an honorable discharge on October 11, 1945. On September 18, 1944, he was united in marriage to Josephine Schwientek in Elmdale, Minnesota by Father Paul Shurek. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Bowlus, Minnesota where they owned and operated the Bowlus Blacksmith Shop. They moved to the Morris area in 1949, where they farmed north of town, until purchasing their farm in Synnes Township in 1958.

Ben was a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Morris, where he loved to say the rosary. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus, where he served as Grand Knight. Ben also was a life member of the Morris American Legion and the VFW and served many years on the Synnes Township Board. He enjoyed reading, singing, being surrounded by his grandkids, great-grandkids and all babies. There wasn’t a thing that Ben couldn’t build or fix.

Surrounded by his wife and children, Ben died on Sunday, September 20, 2009 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, MN, having lived to reach the age of 92 years.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Josephine Schneider of Morris; six children: Jim (Dorothy) Schneider of Alberta, Sue (Gary) Just of Montevideo, Naomi “Amy” (David) Trutwin of Bowlus, Jenell (Scott) Staples of Morris, Bob (Lois) Schneider of Alberta and Pat (Cindy) Schneider of Morris; 19 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one step-granddaughter and three step-great-grandchildren; two sisters: Sr. Mary Fabian Schneider, OSF of Flensburg and Arlyce (Jim) Cane of Inver Grove Heights; two brothers: Peter Schneider of Owatonna and Ed Schneider of Gilbert and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Angeline, Florence and Sr. Mary Eugenia, OSF and four brothers: Stanley, Al, Alphonse and Jerry Schneider.

Pallbearers for the service are Ben's grandsons: Mike Schneider, Tom Schneider, Matt Schneider, Brian Just, Steven Just, Kevin Just, Josh Trutwin, Mark Staples, Paul Staples, John Schneider and Peter Schneider. Linda and Ken Hodgson will provide special music for the service. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Calvary Cemetery in Morris or charity of your choice.