Edward "Sam" Schneider, 85, was born on August 11, 1932, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, MN. He passed away peacefully at his home in Lake City, MN, on Sunday October 15, 2017.
Edward attended school in Plainview, MN, and graduated from Lourdes High School in Rochester, MN. He attended Winona State College before being drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. He was stationed in Verdun France, for 18 months, where his father served before him in World War I.
Upon returning from service, he worked for Western Electric for 10 years as an installer throughout the five State area. After which, he attended Dunwoody Institute before beginning a 28 year career with IBM.
On July 23rd, 1966, he married Ruth Ann Simon, at St. Marys Catholic church in Winona. Together they built a life in Rochester, MN, raising 2 sons. Ed led the family on numerous family vacation adventures over the years. Twenty years ago, Ed and Ruth retired in Lake City, MN.
Ed was very active in his faith community at St. Mary on the Lake, Catholic Church, in Lake City, MN. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Lake City Sportsman's Club, and Frontenac State Park Association. Known as "Bluebird Ed," he helped monitor 80 bluebird houses at Frontenac State Park. Ed also enjoyed playing volleyball at the YMCA.
Ed was an active outdoorsman, being a legendary figure fueled by a lifetime of hunting and fishing. He often shared these gifts with many who knew him – sons, friends, nephews, cousins, and brothers/brother-n-laws.
Ed is survived by two sons, Christopher (Yvonne) Schneider of Hayfield, MN, and Nicholas (Amy) Schneider of Hudson, WI; grandchildren Samantha (Derik) Flotterud, Dustin Majerus (Megan Hanson), Jordon Majerus, Natallia, Tobias, and Emerson Schneider; and one great grandchild – Bradley Flotterud. He is also survived by 5 sisters: Ruth Dornack, Marie (Robert) Brown, Alice (Thomas) Howe, Rita (Maynard) Sveen, and Phyllis (John) Reardon.
He was preceded in death by his parents Helen and Edward Schneider, brothers Eugene and William Schneider, and sisters Florence Moynihan & Marjorie Tucker.
A celebration of life will take place on at 10:30am Friday, October 20th, at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, Lake City, MN. Memorials can be sent to the Mayo Clinic Poverello Foundation or Frontenac State Park Association. Friends may call from 4 – 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017 at Schleicher Funeral Home, Lake City, MN, and one hour before the service at the church.