Steven Ronley SCHNELL

SCHNELL, GESME, PAULE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/16/2007 at 23:35:43

BELMOND - Steven R. Schnell, 50, a resident of Belmond, and owner of Schnell Associates, PC, in Belmond, died unexpectedly, Thursday (October 11, 2007) at the Belmond Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the Belmond United Methodist Church, 1031 First St. S.E. in Belmond. The Rev. Donna Buckman of the Belmond United Church of Christ Congregational will be officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery. Visitation will be today, Monday, Oct. 15, from 4 until 7 p.m. at Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond and continue one hour prior to the services at church Tuesday.

Steven Ronley Schnell, the son of Ronley D. and Marilyn J. (Gesme) Schnell, was born on Sept. 11, 1957, in Newell. Steve attended Newell-Providence Schools where he participated in track and played saxophone in the band programs. Growing up on the family farm near Newell, he enjoyed working at various farming tasks and taught his brother how to cultivate. Steve was always looking after his siblings. During his youth, he was actively involved in the Scouting programs and had been to the Philmont Scout Reservation and was inducted into membership in the Order of the Arrow. Steve attained the Boy Scouts of America's highest award when he received his Eagle Scout badge on Dec. 4, 1972. He proudly carried this accomplishment with him for the rest of his life and had been master of ceremonies for future Eagle Scouts. Steve graduated from Newell-Providence High School with the class of 1975. Following high school, he worked for a year on the family farm and then resumed his post-secondary education at Buena Vista College where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in the accounting/business programs. In 1980, Steve moved to Belmond where he began his life-long career working for Lloyd Anders firm in Belmond. He passed his CPA Iowa State Boards on Feb. 3, 1993. The accounting firm later became a partnership known as Anders & Schnell on Jan. 1, 1994. On Nov. 25, 1997, Steve completed the requirements of the National Association of Certified Evaluation Analysts to become a CVA. On Aug. 15, 2001, he achieved the Prestigious Rank of Exemplary ERO from the IRS for excellence in e-filing returns and was given the gift of a trip to receive the award in Texas. Eventually Steve became sole owner of the business and the name became Schnell Associates, on June 4, 2003.

Steve met the love of his life and wife, Kathy Lynn Paule, at a church function at the Belmond United Church of Christ Congregational in 1985. They were united in marriage on Feb. 22, 1986, at the church. The couple's union was blessed with a daughter, Suzanne Renee Schnell. Suzy's presence in the couple's life brought many wonderful times, gifts, and precious memories to the lives of Steve and Kathy. She became not only a beautiful and loving daughter to her parents, but also a big part of Steve's focus and love. Steve was more than just a little proud of his daughter, Suzy. Steve and his Suzy shared many of the same interests, whether it be time spent together watching "Spinal Tap", an episode of "Saturday Night Live", a comedy movie, or discussing a physics problem, he immensely enjoyed their father-daughter relationship. On occasion he would even be willing to allow Suzy the opportunity to dress him up and do an extreme makeover. Steve was always up for a good prank, no matter which side of the activity he was on. Steve and Kathy had been hosts to several foreign exchange students over the years. Though they had not done a lot of traveling during his life, they did make a trip to Slovakia to visit one of their students and Steve loved it so much he stated he would stay there. In the earlier years of their marriage Steve enjoyed singing. Steve's personality was one of a kind. He was full of wit and humor and often times he would share these wonderful traits to an individual or group of people by doing one of his well rehearsed impersonations and impressions. His great ear for mimic could often be seen and heard by those lucky enough to be in Steve's company as he went into a routine of Woody Allen, Jimmy Stewart, or many others whose persona he had perfected. His wife and her family are very much a part of the life of the Iowa River Player's Community Theater in Rowan, and Steve was very much a supporter. Though he oftentimes wavered as he was having his arm twisted to participate and fulfill a role in one of the many productions at the theater, the gentle persuasion of family and friends would eventually win out. His humbleness and belief that he may not be the person or talented enough for the part became secondary as his magnetic personality, sharp mind, and keen sense of character allowed him to step feet-first into the role. Steve's first role with the Iowa River Players was as an English "fop." He later went on to play various characters including a Norwegian papa, New York gangster, Cockney grave robber, lovesick Jewish barber, and more filled the role of the singing cowboy known as "Curly" in the production of "Oklahoma!"

Steve's hobbies and interests were diverse as he enjoyed a wide variety of past times. His love of gardening began when he would have his little girl at his side helping dad and continued on into the future years of his life. He was also very proud of his hanging baskets on main street. He was always one to stretch his mind and looked forward to life long learning whether he was studying physics, researching the ancestry of the Jenison-Meecham family, or in more recent times perfecting the art of wine making and the craft of magic. In more recent times he had become very health conscious and diligently exercised both his body and mind. He also had re-kindled his love for the freedom of a trek on his motorcycle. He loved a good conversation, times spent with relatives and friends, and a friendly game of Balderdash. He was a person who gave countless hours to his loved community of Belmond. It is likely impossible to know every one of his involvements. Steve was very active in the Belmond United Church of Christ Congregational serving in various roles including, moderator, treasurer, the Board of Stewardship, Board of Evangelism, as a Sunday School and Bible School teacher, Lay Preacher and in various other positions. His community involvements were many and included participation in many different organizations such as the Toastmasters, Belmond Jaycees, Iowa River Players and so many others. Steve served side-by-side with the members of these groups and held various offices with each one. Steve had received numerous awards from these groups. He gave years of direction, assistance, expertise, and countless hours to many non-profit organizations and will be deeply missed for his knowledge and invaluable assistance. Steve's willingness to listen, contemplate, evaluate the options and help develop a functional and efficient solution to a program, task, or project was a wonderful attribute that he shared in various roles with the Belmond Chamber of Commerce, BIDCO (Belmond Industrial Development Corporation, and city government. He was active in the BDC, RAP, and Incentive Fund teams of the Chamber and BIDCO, and had served for a period of time in a position with the Planning and Zoning for the city. His foresight for the future and the betterment of Belmond was seen in his involvement with BIC and the construction of a spec building in Belmond's Industrial Park. His professional abilities allowed him to assist, share, and lend his expertise to countless small and large businesses, individuals, farmers, and numerous other clients both in the local region and throughout.

Mason City Globe Gazette
October 13, 2007