Mabel Schneider

Mabel M. Schneider, age 85, passed away Sunday, April 10, 2016, in her home surrounded by her children. Mabel was born Aug. 14, 1930, in Chadron, Neb. She was the second child of Walter and Hazel Russell.

Mabel moved with her parents and two sisters to Lenore when she was 7 years old. Her mother passed away three months later during childbirth. The family continued to live on the farm. Mabel attended a one-room school at Lower Cream Ridge in Lenore. She attended high school in Lapwai, graduating in 1948.

She worked as a nurse's aide for the Sisters of the St. Joseph Hospital in Lewiston. Mabel and Dearl Schneider married Feb. 14, 1949. They were blessed with four children. The family lived in Lewiston until 1956, when they returned to Lenore and bought the family farm.

Dearl passed away in 1981, and Mabel moved from the farm and began a new chapter of her life by attending Walla Walla Community College in 1982. She was 50 at this time. She received her licensed practical nurse degree and lovingly worked at Tri-State Convalescence Center for 111/2 years. She retired in 1997.

Mabel worked for a time at State Hospital North in Orofino. She served as a 4-H leader and was a member of the Lenore Willing Workers Club. Mom was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church beginning in Cavendish and later the Lewiston First United Methodist Church. She was active in United Methodist Women, was a Sunday school teacher, facilitated bereavement dinners and Bible school snacks, as well as many organizations such as RSVP (the Retired Senior Volunteer Program). She enjoyed volunteering in the sewing room with the St. Joe's Women's auxiliary group, elementary reading programs, making grilled cheese sandwiches for the Boys and Girls Club of Lewiston, visiting the elderly and knitting many hats and mittens for children through RSVP. One of the highlights in mom's life was being an active part of her weekly prayer group. Special appreciation goes out to these fine ladies as they made sure mom was able to remain part of their group after her heart attack in 2012.

Mom's hobbies included knitting, crocheting and walking. She loved spending time with her family. She loved travel, and among many trips, a highlight was traveling to Europe, and a Panamanian cruise with her friends.

Mabel is survived by her youngest sister, Gladys Hall; three daughters, Cherryl Ramsay, Cynthia McCabe (John), and Janine Weiss (Ken); and son Wayne Schneider (Joann). She leaves behind six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and many treasured friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Walter and Hazel Russell; her baby brother, Walter K. Russell Jr.; baby daughter Gail Schneider; and baby granddaughter Heather Schneider.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home. A viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday at Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lewis Clark Valley, 1021 Burrell Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501; or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 25 W. Nora Ave., No. 100, Spokane, WA 99205; or St. Joseph Family Hospice, 1250 Idaho St., Lewiston, ID 83501.

A special heartfelt thank you to St. Joseph Family Hospice for helping us fulfill mom's desire to stay in her home. Thank you, Dr. Greggain for providing excellent loving care to our mother; she trusted you implicitly. And thank you to her cherished friends who continued to visit mom through this time. Your kindnesses will be remembered always. Our mother Mabel was one very special gift. We shall miss her.