Henry E. Schneider, 87, of Gering, Nebraska, died unexpectedly on Thursday April 25, 2013. Cremation was held at Sunset Memorial Park Crematory in Scottsbluff. Private family services will be held. In lieu of flowers, a memorial to an autism program “P.S. Life Mines Buddies” has been established with Valley Bank of Gering. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services in Scottsbluff is assisting the family with arrangements.
He was born March 19, 1926, in Mitchell, Nebraska to Henry P. and Katherine (Brandt) Schneider. He was 6 months old when he moved to the farm south of Gering where he lived the remainder of his life. He attended the University of Nebraska and remained an avid “Big Red” fan, never wanting to miss a game on T.V. At the age of 21 he purchased his first farm and in 1950 he married Edna A. Kniss from Bayard, Nebraska. To this union were born 2 children, Tehra (Jack Atwater) and Fara (Pat Mawhinney).
Henry was the definition of LIVING LIFE. He was a steward of the land, was civic minded, being leader on boards for church, school, county and agriculture and he LOVED to travel. He sailed the seven seas and there wasn’t a culture that he wasn’t willing to experience….from Russia to Vietnam……from Australia to Mt. Everest and everywhere in between. He learned to fly a plane at 18 and went parasailing at 80… learned to ride a moped while overseas and weathered a hurricane off of Cape Horn, South America – his only regret was not being able to go skydiving with his Grandsons.
Henry was Scotts Bluff County Commissioner for 16 years and received many awards for his achievements. Governor Kay Orr was just one of the presenters of awards Henry received. He held officer positions on the Sugar Beet Board, school board and church board. He said it was imperative to make decisions with conviction because no decision would make everyone happy. Henry started and owned many business endeavors. While friends retired from farming, Henry began Country Auto Sales to keep him busy. He spent his last day in his office doing what he loved!
Henry is survived by his wife, children, four grandchildren (Jonathan and Jared Atwater and Teran and Maggie Mawhinney), two surviving sisters and many amazing friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and his six siblings.