Willis M. Schnabel, 84, Eureka, SD, died Saturday, June 29, 2024 at the Avera Eureka Healthcare Center.

Willis Morris Schnabel, son of Lyda (Bentz) and Edmund H. Schnabel, was born September 30, 1939 in Eureka. He was brought up on the family farm nine miles east and two miles north of Eureka and attended rural school in Odessa TWSHP. Willis served his country in the United States Army, being inducted September 3, 1958. Following his honorable discharge on June 3, 1960, he returned to McPherson County. Shortly after, Willis met the love of his life, Nancy Ackerman. The two were married at the Eureka Reformed Church on September 3, 1961.

He had many occupations throughout his lifetime. Willis was employed at the Boschee Store and Meat Market. In 1961, he took a job at Eureka Distributing Company and in 1967, he and Nancy became owners of Schnabel Oil Company. They continued with that enterprise until 1980 when they purchased the Coast-to-Coast Store. During this time, Willis was awarded the South Dakota Retailer of the Year. They ran the store until selling out in 2004. He then became a rural mail carrier for several years.

Willis was a member of the Eureka Reformed Church where he was an elder, Sunday school teacher, superintendent, and sang in the choir for 63 years. He also was chairman of the Eureka City Planning Board, belonged to the Fred Weller American Legion Post No. 186, Eureka, SD, the Eureka Lions Club (which he served as vice-president), was on the board of the McPherson County Pioneer Museum, belonged to the Jaycees, and was active in the Eureka Development Corporation. Willis was also on the Eureka Community Health Services Board during the construction of the new facility. He supported Eureka athletics as he was a baseball umpire, was on the chain gang for football, was a scorekeeper for the basketball teams, and taught gun safety through the National Rifle Association.

Willis is survived by Nancy, his wife of 62 years; one daughter, Michele (Tim) Vander Laan of Bismarck, ND; one son, Grant Schnabel of Stoddard, WI; one brother, Gary (Geraldine) Schnabel of Yankton, SD; five granddaughters—Brittany, Katie, Allie, Reagan, and Kennedy; and one great granddaughter, Aspen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Lyda.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 AM, Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at the Eureka Reformed Church, led by Rev. Cody Schwichtenberg. Interment follows at the Eureka Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Eureka Legion Post. Pianist will be Bonnie Mehlhaff and usher will be Earl Mehlhaff. Congregational Hymns will be “Jesus Loves Me”, “How Great Thou Art”, and “It is Well With My Soul”.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM Monday at Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka.

Pallbearers will be Willis’s granddaughters and his son-in-law.

The Schnabel family would like to express their gratitude to the Avera Eureka Healthcare staff for the compassionate care that Willis received.

Services are in care of Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel of Eureka.

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