Joan C. Schneider was born in Jordan on September 10, 1936 to parents Frank, Sr. and Ruth (Mertens) Hilgers. In her childhood years, Joan enjoyed frogging and mushroom hunting with her dad as the family enjoyed the fruits of their hunt. As a family they enjoyed spending time at the Hilger’s cabin on Spring Lake.
Joan spent most of her career as a waitress. She worked at many different locations including Broadway Eat Shop, Alfonse’s Bar and Café, Wagner’s Supper Club, Golden Fox, and the Feed Mill Restaurant where she enjoyed visiting with patrons especially the “regulars”. The most memorable will always be the Broadway Eat Shop as that’s the location where she first met the love of her life, Eugene “Gene” Schneider. From this meeting they were married on July 30, 1953 in Mason City, IA. They were blessed with seven children, Debra, Wendy, Kelly, Tammy, Mickey, Geno and John.
She enjoyed the family volleyball games, cards including 500, gambling at Mystic Lake and above all Bingo. Around the house you could hear Joan saying to the kids “hurry up and get your chores done so we can get to Fish Lake” as she loved to sun bathe. Additionally, she loved to travel especially the trips to Montana to see her sister Mary and her family.
Joan was a strong woman of faith and regularly read the bible. She was a loving, honest and spirited woman who was non judgmental towards others.
At the age of 75 and a lifelong resident of Jordan, Joan passed away peacefully in the presence of her family in the evening hours of August 5, 2012.
Forever loved, Joan will be deeply missed by her children, Wendy (Richard) Mediger of Henderson, Kelly Sonnicksen of Chaska, Tammy Alvarado of Jordan, Mickey (Kim Hunstable) Schneider of Campbell, MN, John (Renee Dupont) Schneider of Jordan; daughter in law, Diane (Jerry) Beckrich of Cologne; honorary daughter, Lynn Krueger of Chaska; 19 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Frank Hilgers of Belle Plaine; sister, Mary (Bob) Brown of Harlowton, MT; and many other loving relatives and friends.
Joan is preceded in death by her husband Gene Schneider; daughter, Debra Mathwig; son, Geno Schneider; parents, Frank, Sr. and Ruth (Mertens) Hilgers; brother, Peter Hilgers.
Joan’s pall bearers will be Zachary Mathwig, Stacey Cherp, Jennifer Shufelt, Michael Sonnicksen, Jacob Schneider, Patrick Schneider.
Visitation will be on Thursday, August 9, 2012 from 4-8 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 104 West First Street, Jordan and one hour prior to the mass at church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, August 10, 2012 at 11 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Jordan. Father Timothy Yanta will officiate. Joan will be laid to rest next to her husband Gene at Calvary cemetery in Jordan.
