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Nina
Day
Schnell
Nina Day Schnell, 90, died peacefully July 2 in North Platte surrounded by family.
Nina was born on January 12, 1922 to Omar and Sarah Day in their sod farm house near Ruleton, KS during a fierce blizzard.
She grew up during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl and began her formal education in a one room country school. She attended high school in Goodland, KS where she met Dennis Schnell. They were married on August 20, 1939 and were together for 62 years until his death on October 9, 2001.
During those years they moved many times as they farmed, built and operated the Silver Leaf Motel in Culbertson, NE, and eventually bought land in Wellfleet and worked together to build their dream. Nina also worked as a secretary and later, as a phone operator for the Union Pacific Railroad.
After retirement the couple moved to a home overlooking Jeffrey Lake and the Platte Valley. Nina bought a ski boat and the children and grandchildren learned to ski. The whole family loved to spend time there fishing, canoeing, swimming, playing pool, and sledding.
After ten years Dennis''s health forced the couple to move back to town. When Dennis passed away Nina moved to Oak Manor and became very active in social events there and at the Senior Center. She also volunteered to help kindergarteners and first graders in local schools learn to read.
Nina was always an active member of churches wherever she lived, including Wellfleet Methodist, Banner Methodist, and most recently Calvary Baptist in North Platte.
Nina is survived by her four children: Larry (Marilyn) Schnell of North Platte, Linda Strohfus of Brandon, FL, Cheryl (Bob) Wheeler of Ventura, CA, and Gary Schnell of Tempe, AZ, 11 grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and hosts of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Marvin Day, sisters Naomi Thompson and Burnetta Petersen and grandson, Chris Strohfus.
Funeral services were Saturday, July 7 at 1 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 900 East Second with Pastor Ryan Alexander officiating. Memorials to Calvary Baptist Church or the North Platte Senior Center. Carpenter Memorial Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.
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| First published in The North Platte Bulletin print edition on 7/11/2012 |
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