Willard Eugene Schneider

Peacefully on Sunday, February 24th, 2019, at the Neepawa Hospital, Willard Schneider passed away just shy of 95 years old.

            Willard was the youngest of five siblings born to Magdalene (Sweeney) and Edward Schneider who farmed near Gull Lake, Saskatchewan. During the Great Depression, in 1932, the family moved to Manitoba and settled near Langruth, where Willard attended school. He worked at the Co-op Store and farmed with his brother Bob and also Everett. After retiring from the farm, Uncle Bob moved to Portage while Uncle Willard moved to Crescent Lodge in Gladstone, where he lived for 25 years, tending to his tomato plants, tulips, special Saskatchewan cactus and watching baseball in the summers and following the curling on TV during the winters. A year-and-a-half ago he moved into Centennial Apartments.

            He was predeceased by his parents, Magdalene & Edward, and his siblings and their spouses: Leona (William) Carson, Everett (Pearl), Gerald (Marion), and Robert.

            Left with memories are his nieces and nephew: Audrey (Larry) Blaylock of Portage la Prairie, Donald (Sharon) Schneider of Saskatoon, and Barbara (Bob) Clarke of Moose Jaw. Great nieces Sheri & Lori Blaylock, Stacey (Matthew) McGeary and great nephews Jason (Brittany) & Christopher Schneider, and Jeffrey Clarke. Great great nephew Aidan Wilson. He had weekly phone conversations with his special cousin and confidante Joyce Covey of Balgonie, SK and was cared for in Gladstone by his good friend Laura Loomis.

            Willard was a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion #162 and then #110. He received his 70-year pin this past December.

            Thank you to his neighbours, the community of Gladstone, the health care professionals in Gladstone and at Neepawa Hospital, and Laura Loomis. He always said he loved living in Gladstone because whenever he went uptown there was always someone to help him into the stores or hold open the door. He will be greatly missed and always remembered by those who loved him.

            Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held later in the year at the Lakeland Cemetery where he will be buried beside his brother Bob.

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