John Edward Schneider

John E. Schneider, 83, passed away peacefully March 6, 2017 at his home in the woods in Dresbach, Minn.

John was born August 30, 1933 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin to John H. and Wilma (Strohmeyer) Schneider.  John grew up in La Crosse and graduated from Aquinas High School.  After serving his country in the U.S. Navy, he attended the Northwestern TV and Electronics Institute in Minneapolis.

John married Loretta M. Hafner on August 12, 1961 in Hokah.  They lived in Dresbach and La Crescent during their 52 years of marriage.  Loretta preceded him in death on April 10, 2014.

John managed the service department at Leithold’s Music Store in La Crosse before going into business for himself as Schneider Electronics.  He specialized in repairing electronic organs, and felt very blessed to have a vocation fixing organs in God’s churches throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.  He retired in 2015 at age 81.

John enjoyed many activities including motorcycling, snowmobiling, square dancing with Loretta, fishing, boating, cutting firewood with his chainsaw, and poker club with his buddies, which played monthly for 58 years.  John was also active in the Catholic church, serving in many roles throughout his life.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion and the Lions Club.  In his later years, he enjoyed the company of friends at the La Crescent Library and Senior Meals at the Community Center.  John was often accompanied by his daughter Mary, who was his caregiver until his passing.

John is survived by five children:  Mike Schneider of St. Paul, Mary (Tony) Vasquez of St. Paul, Lori (Scott) Schaffer of Bethel, CT, Janel (Tom) Schroeder of Medina, OH, John P. (Cheri) Schneider of Kronenwetter, WI.; ten grandchildren, David (Lily), Jacob, Nathan (Michele), and Rachel Vasquez, Robert and Paul Schroeder, Jonathan and David Schaffer, Lukas and Logan Schneider; and two great-granddaughters Evelyn and Ginevra Vasquez.  John is further survived by a brother James (Janice) Schneider of La Crosse, and two sisters, Carol (Dick) Horzempa of Pewaukee, WI, and Elaine Schneider of Racine, WI.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Loretta, and a son John David Schneider.