Velma Schneider, 90, of Mandan and formerly of Mobridge passed away Friday, November 6, 2020, at Miller Pointe Care Center in Mandan. Due to Covid-19 private family services will be held. Kesling Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Funeral services will be live streamed on the Kesling Funeral Home Facebook page at 10:00 AM, Thursday, November 12, 2020.

 

Velma Verda (Berg) Schneider was born April 10, 1930, near Akaska, South Dakota, to Fred J. and Rosa Berg.   She passed away at the Miller Pointe care facility in Mandan, North Dakota, on November 6, 2020. She was the youngest of three children; her older siblings being Lorraine (Berg) Roebuck and Calvin Berg. She grew up on the farm and went to school in Akaska and Selby until the 8th grade. She withdrew at that time to help her dad with the farm.

Once when her father needed a horse broke, he called on Norman Schneider to do the job. Norman and Velma were married November 25, 1948, at the United Congregational Church in McLaughlin, SD. They had three children, Dwayne, Audrey, and Allan.

Velma was a hard worker, a civic-minded citizen, and a believer in the American dream. She worked minimum wage jobs before there was a minimum wage. She spent many years as a nurse’s aid here in Mobridge, and also did some part time work helping elderly and cleaning an office building. She always praised the Mobridge schools and teachers, and never voted against a pool, a school, or a library.

She encouraged her children to get an education and would always say, “Be proud of who you are, do your best and hold your head up high.” She was a nurse’s aid, her daughter a nurse, and her granddaughter a doctor. Even though she spoke no English until starting school in South Dakota, her son became an English teacher. All of her grandkids have post-secondary degrees.

Velma had a way of seeing things with clarity. Once when Allan was complaining about a teacher, she said, “Don’t give me that! If I had 25 hoodlums like you in a class, I might not be so nice either.”

Because of her confident, positive attitude as well as her unbending resolve to walk the high road, she became a universally respected figure in Mobridge. Her opinion was one that was considered. Her trust was sought. And her integrity was unquestioned. When the name Velma Schneider comes up, it is most usually followed by, “That was quite a woman . . . and that smile.”

Her unwavering faith carried her through many trials; her love of family was enduring; and her belief in the goodness of mankind was resolute. In her later years, the Golden Living Center in Mobridge was her home. Her manner allowed her to easily and affectionately commune with residents as well as visitors. She would always say, “They treat me so good, here; I can’t complain about anything.” And our mom never did. She spent her last days in the Miller Pointe care facility in Mandan, North Dakota.

She was preceded in death by parents, Fred and Rosa Berg; husband Norman, and son Dwayne Schneider; brother Calvin Berg and sister Lorraine (Berg) Roebuck. She is survived by children Audrey (Schneider) Herman–and husband, Jay; and Allan Schneider—and wife Anna; as well as four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

. . . and that smile

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