Schneider, Gerald A.

Gerald A. Schneider, 84, of Postville, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, at Palmer Lutheran Health Center in West Union, Iowa.

Gerald Alton Schneider, the son of John and Selma (Baechler) Schneider, was born Feb. 24, 1929, on the Baechler family farm west of Elgin, Iowa. Gerald began his education at the Cherry Valley Country School, rural Elgin, and finished at Elgin Public School. Gerald was united in marriage with Arlette Kapell Hackmann on July 19, 1969, in Galena, Ill. He started hauling can milk to the Gunder Cheese Factory when he was a young man. Due to changes in milk handling, Gerald and Arlette purchased their first semi-truck and trailer in 1969 and that was the beginning of Schneider Motorways. Gerald and Arlette continued to build the business for the next 43 years. Gerald and Arlette worked together in other entities: farming, truck and car wash, milk reload, convenience store, and Farm Park. He retired from the business in 2006 because of his health and the business was sold in 2012.

Gerald enjoyed life as reflected by his passion for his wife, his family, his friends, and his work. He had many interests including restoring old tractors and trucks, collecting toy tractors, and collecting old cars. He enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeye sports teams, especially football, traveling, fishing, and dining out. He loved lutefisk and attended many dinners in the area. Gerald was very active in the community. He was involved in the Heritage Farm Park in Clermont, was a founding member of Northeast Iowa Classic Tractors, and at one time he was a member of a convertible car club. Many good times were had with the SSR limo.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Arlette, of Clermont; his children, David (Jo) Schneider, Ed Schneider, Karen (Dave) Roberts, LuAnn (Jeff) Alber, Gary (Lisa) Schneider, Melinda (Brian) Schroeder, Geoff (Alayna) Schneider, Robyn (Chris) Strong, Traci (Tom) Bates, and Mike Hackmann; his grandchildren, Marcy (Larry) Hoffman, Darren (Marcy) Schneider, Kristen (John) Kelly, Annie (Sam) Sadler, Kim (Wes) Moore, Rick Schneider, Terra (Tony) Bracy, Katie (Vinnie) Roberts, Shannon Albers, Shawn (Sydney) Albers, Jessica (Craig) Moser, Jamie (Mike) Germann, Josh (Whitney) Schneider, Jason (Amanda) Schneider, Derek (Jennifer) Schroeder, Justin Schroeder, Chase Schneider, Zoë Schneider, Loren Strong, Michael Strong, Aaron Strong, Rachael Strong, Isabella Bates, Isaiah Bates, and Josi Baker; and 34 great-grandchildren.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, John Schneider and Selma Schneider-Kohls; and three grandchildren, Chad and Dustin Roberts, and Layne Schneider.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 4, 2013, at the Marion Lutheran Church in Gunder, Iowa. Interment will be in Marion Lutheran Cemetery, Gunder. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. today at the Marion Lutheran Church in Gunder and one hour before services at the church on Monday.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Clermont, Iowa, is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be left at .

Published March 3, 2013 in The Gazette