Schneider, Sylvia Fern (1916-2007)

SCHNEIDER, BOGH, BREDALL, CABRERA, COOPER, JONES, COWART, MCMILLAN, TROXEL, HAMDORF

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/11/2008 at 22:31:44

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, March 20, 2007

Sylvia F. Schneider, 90, of Le Mars, died Sunday, March 18, 2007 at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars.

Sylvia Fern Bogh was born Nov. 22, 1916, on the family farm in Fredonia Township, rural Plymouth County, Iowa, the daughter of Andrew and Anna (Bredall) Bogh. Sylvia attended country school in Fredonia Township through the eighth grade and later graduated from Le Mars Central High School in 1934. Sylvia continued her education at Western Union College in Le Mars for a year and then attended Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in biological science. She later furthered her education at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyo., and the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, S.D.

Sylvia taught school at Wheatland High School in Clinton County from 1938 to 1941. While teaching at Wheatland, Sylvia met her future husband, Franz William Leon Schneider. Sylvia and Franz were united in marriage on July 26, 1942 at Wheatland. She later taught at Rock Rapids from 1942 to 1943.

During World War II, Sylvia worked at Abbott Laboratory in North Chicago and later for the Railroad Supply House and National Wild Life in Washington, D.C., while Franz was serving in the United States Navy. After Franz was discharged from the service, the couple returned back to Plymouth County and farmed.

Sylvia again taught school from 1970 to 1979 in Sioux Center, where she taught special education students. Sylvia and Franz moved from the farm to Le Mars in 1984 and moved to Park Place Estates in 1999. In February 2001, Sylvia moved to the Plymouth Manor Care Center.

Sylvia had always been active in her community and church. She served on the Plymouth County 4-H Girls Committee, State Extension Advisory Council, Plymouth County Farm Bureau Women's Chairman and Le Mars Community School Board from 1959 to 1968 when many of the present facilities were built. Sylvia also taught Sunday school, was president of the church women's group and had served as an elder of the Presbyterian United Church of Christ. She was also a member of the Le Mars Women's Club, University Women, Northwest Iowa Genealogical Society, and a founding member of the Plymouth County Museum Board.

Sylvia was named an Iowa Master Farm Homemaker in 1960, received the Farm Bureau Service to Agriculture award in 1980, and recognized as an Honorary Plymouth County 4-H member.

Sylvia and Franz were known for hosting many international exchange students on their farm from countries including: Brazil, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Japan, Chile, Uruguay, and Guyana. A favorite is Erhard Krüesken from Germany who lived with them on two different occasions.

Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Franz of Le Mars; four children: Sheryl de Cabrera of Guatemala City, Guatemala, Kristann Cooper and her husband, Jim of Pine, Colo., Dr. James Schneider and his wife Sheri of Onalaska, Wis., and John Schneider and his wife Carol of Le Mars; nine grandchildren: Douglas Jones of Pine, Colo., Melanie Schneider of Madison, Wis., Cynthia Cowart of Nampa, Idaho, Alyssa (Jonathan) McMillan of Houston, Texas, Sebastian Cabrera of Guatemala City, Guatemala, Nicholas Cabrera of Ann Arbor, Mich., Ana Silvia Cabrera of Guatemala City, Guatemala, Jo Ellen Schneider of Ames and Andrew Schneider of Le Mars; two great-grandchildren, Shelby and Shaylee McMillan; a sister, Gwendolyn Troxel of Seal Beach, Calif.; two sisters-in-law, Clara Hamdorf and Louisa Schneider of Wheatland; and several nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Anna (Bredall) Bogh; a son-in-law, Leonel Cabrera, and a brother-in-law, Jay Troxel.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ with the Rev. Drew Tomberlin officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Cemetery, Le Mars. Visitations will be after 4 p.m. today (Tuesday) at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars followed by a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will continue Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the Plymouth County Historical Museum or Life Skills Training Center.

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