Maureen Carol (McCutcheon) Schneiderhan, 87, died at Benedictine Windermere Way, Shakopee, on Sunday, July 30, 2023. She is now joyfully reunited with her husband, Robert (Bob), her beloved partner of almost 64 years, who died in 2020.
A life-long Minnesotan, Maureen was born on November 2, 1935, in Madelia to Faye (Trullinger) and James Clark McCutcheon, the third of their six children (or the oldest of the two “middle kids” a position she enjoyed — often to the dismay of her younger siblings). As a young child she was nicknamed “Tumpy” by her family – a funny name for such a cute little girl. It would be an affectionate pet name she carried for the rest of her life.
Her parents moved from Madelia to St. James, and finally to Prior Lake in 1945 – a community she would always think of as her hometown. When her parents divorced in 1946, her mom struggled to keep the family together. Eventually, the siblings were scattered to live with other families. Maureen was 11 and for the next four years she lived with two Prior Lake-area families where she helped with cooking, cleaning, and childcare. Her own family reunited during her last years of high school. Despite the upheaval, Maureen studied hard and participated in school activities – winning the leads in the class plays and attending all the dances, football games, bonfires, and proms with her tight circle of friends. She was among the top students in her class of 1953 – Prior Lake’s first graduating class. Her keepsake box from that time was filled with play scripts, programs and cast photos, newspaper clippings, and dozens of photos of her girlfriends camping, dancing, and laughing.
After high school Maureen moved to a boarding house in Minneapolis and took a position with Sears at its Lake Street store, a place that employed her mom and two older sisters. She continued to see her Prior Lake gang for weekends of fun. In fact, it was a school friend who introduced her to a dashing young U.S. Air Force service member from Savage – Bob Schneiderhan – in 1954. Dates and dances at the Spring Lake Ballroom led to a love match, a wedding on April 7, 1956, at Saint Michael’s Church in Prior Lake, and a marriage that would last until Bob’s unexpected death in January 2020. During that time, they made homes in St. Louis Park, Bloomington, and eventually Savage – each a welcoming and warm place where they entertained family and friends.
They were an inseparable pair. Bob and Maureen. Maureen and Bob. Or Tumpy and Bob to family. Never one without the other.
While Bob found fulfillment and success as a sales executive with Twin Cities-based companies, Maureen focused on making their homes cozy and welcoming. She’d pour over the latest design magazines looking for inspiration and furnish each home with great care.
Vacations found Maureen and Bob packing up a pop-up camper and later an RV to crisscross the country enjoying the sights of both major cities and national parks. Issues of Gourmet magazine informed many of their stops in New Orleans and the Southwest, which later translated into menus they would recreate and share with lucky family and friends.
Maureen was an excellent cook. For many years they were part of a couples gourmet club that explored European cuisines. Each time it was their turn to host, she’d spend weeks refining recipes to make sure every course was perfect, with Bob selecting just the right wine pairing for each. While they didn’t travel widely beyond the U.S., the gourmet club created a food journey throughout France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and more. Bob especially appreciated those years, as he enjoyed all of Maureen’s “practice session” recipes.
Foodies long before the term was coined, Maureen and Bob were always on the hunt for a new local restaurant to add to their favorites. Each decade held a special place they called their own – from La Casa Coronado in the 1970s to later haunts of Ciao Bella, Prima’s, Kincaids, and the Chianti Grille. In their later years, Maureen permanently retired her apron and the two of them frequented their favorite places on a weekly rotation where they were on a first-name basis with the appreciative wait staff (Think of every Cheers episode and Norm’s arrival).
Maureen and Bob held close relationships with both sides of their families. McCutcheon and Schneiderhan family gatherings were never missed. Nieces and nephews could count on them to be in the stands at a big game, in a seat at their concert or play, or offering a pat on the back at their graduations. They danced at their weddings, held their babies, and applauded all their successes. They were also there on the tough days, when worlds collapsed, and hearts were broken and needed mending.
Friendships mattered to them both and they cultivated special ones over the years. None was more cherished than the “coffee friends” that formed when a group of strangers became friends at Barnes and Noble over a mutual love of books, lively conversation, and Starbucks. These friends became very dear to Maureen and Bob as they met for years — every Monday through Friday — until Bob’s death.
Bob’s sudden passing in early 2020 created a dramatic shift in Maureen’s life as her own health needs forced a move to memory care – first to All Saints and later to Benedictine Windermere Way in Shakopee. Her transition from their townhome in Savage occurred just as the pandemic began and with it the extended lockdown that forced social distancing from family. During that lonely time the family hoped Maureen found some solace from their window visits and the message on the kitchen chalkboard that followed her from Savage to her memory care apartment. On it was Bob’s handwritten note that read: “Bob loves Tumpy.” When the world opened up again Maureen always had a ready smile of welcome for any visitor. Despite pandemic hardships and her own fading capacity, she always showed amazing resilience and gratitude to the staff who cared for her.
Left to mourn Maureen is a large and loving extended family. Her McCutcheon siblings include Wayne McCutcheon, Karen (McCutchen) Lund, and Bruce (Margaret) McCutchen. McCutcheon nieces and nephews include Shelly Regan (Kim Dewey), Sheila Henderson, Timothy Cates, Jacqueline Cates (Johnny Burgess), Thomas (Pam) Cates, Josephine (Curt) Schmaltz, John Cates, II, Joel Cates (Jeff Melby), Carrie (Tim) Boys, Kathy (Brian) Sandberg, David (Kristy) McCutcheon, George (Kristen) Lund, Britt (Mario) Moroles, and many grandnieces and nephews. Schneiderhan nieces and nephews include Sue (Larry) Helwig, Dan (Carol) Schneiderhan, Jane Schneiderhan, Mary (Al) Bradshaw, Tim (Connie) Skinner, Cindy (Skip) Dugger, Mary (Ken) Kewatt, Patty (Jerry) Prostrollo, Phillip (Sandra) Schneiderhan, Greg (Diane) Schneiderhan, and numerous grandnieces and nephews.
In addition to her beloved Bob, Maureen was preceded in death by her mom, Faye (Trullinger) McCutchen; sisters Ramona (Mona) McCutchen Regan Ries and Arlene McCutchen Cates; brothers-in-law Jack Cates, Mert Lund, Jerry Regan, and Joseph Ries; Bob’s family including parents George and Anna (Walsh) Schneiderhan, brother Bill Schneiderhan and wife Helen; sister Rosemary Skinner and husband Jim; brother Phil Schneiderhan and wife Pauline. She is also predeceased by niece Ann Schneiderhan, nephew Bill Schneiderhan, niece Judy Schroeder, grandniece Candace Larson, and grandnephew Trevor Horry.
Services will be private with burial next to Bob at Calvary Cemetery, Jordan.
The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the staff at Benedictine Windermere Way for the kindness, caring, and respect extended to Maureen every day. Special thanks to the Clinical Manager of Memory Care Maria Nyamari and her amazing team of Resident Assistants, including: Adama, Ahmed, Alivia, Balee, Barry, Charles, David, Emily, Frankline, Fred, George, Lily, Luisa, Mariah, MJ, Mohamed, Patience, Precious, and Trusilah; and Wellness Coordinator Carol. And, in Maureen’s last days, the special staff and volunteer team at Minnesota Hospice all offered so much comfort and support, including Abby, Andrea, Kacey, Kim, Marie, Michael, Savannah, Shelby, and Tammy. The adage “It takes a village” couldn’t be truer. Because of all of you this difficult journey was made easier for Maureen and us. We were so lucky to have you in our village.
Nothing is expected but, if you are so inclined, contributions to these organizations would be a lovely way to honor Maureen’s memory:
- Alzheimer’s Association, Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter ( https://www.alz.org/mnnd ). Donations fund needed research and support for those struggling with this disease and their committed caregivers. It is a cause near and dear to the McCutcheon and Schneiderhan families.
- Saints Foundation ( https://www.benedictineliving.org/shakopee-mn/foundation ). Please select the dropdown option that says: I want to support “Shakopee Windermere Way Greatest Needs.” Windermere Way memory care is where Maureen resided for almost two years.
- Minnesota Hospice Foundation ( https://www.minnesotahospicefoundation.org ) . Donations help expand hospice care within the Twin Cities metro community, providing support for special patient care needs and increasing knowledge and awareness surrounding end-of – life and grief through education, workshops, and support groups.
