Benjamin “Bennie” Schneider, 103, retired farmer and local Mitchell resident passed away Sunday, February 13, 2022, after getting “too damned old”. His funeral service will be 10 AM, Friday, February 18, 2022, at the Federated Church in Mitchell, NE with Reverend Dr. Chuck Richardson officiating. Interment will follow at Mitchell Cemetery with Military Honors by the US Army Funeral Honor Guard, and the Gering American Legion Post #36. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 17, 2022, from 5 – 7 PM at Jones Mortuary in Mitchell, NE. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of any flowers, memorials may be made to the Federated Church or to the Disabled American Veterans. Online condolences may be made by viewing Bennie’s memorial page at www.jones-mortuary.com. Jones Mortuary in Mitchell, NE is entrusted with arrangements.
Ben, a World War II Veteran, was born September 30, 1918, in the Sunflower community, Mitchell, Nebraska, one of thirteen children of Jacob and Margaret Schneider. Ben attended Sunny Slope School and worked on various farms until serving in the Military. He married Helen Johannes March 15, 1942, and was drafted into Military Service July 17, 1942, serving in Europe for 30 months participating in the war effort and being awarded 5 bronze stars for his efforts in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe.
After being honorably discharged on October 18, 1945, he and Helen began farming in the Dutch Flats, raising alfalfa, corn, dry edible beans, sugar beets, and fat cattle. He was recognized several times as a High-Ten sugar producer by Great Western Sugar and took great pride in his farming ability, retiring in 1983. During retirement, he and Helen enjoyed attending their grand-children’s sporting events, and they loved Nebraska football. Helen died October 2, 2008, after 66 years of marriage.
He is survived by his daughter Nancy Kearns of Mitchell, NE and son Russ and daughter-in-law Cathy of Estes Park, CO; five grandchildren; and ten great-grand-children.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 12 brothers and sisters; his wife Helen and son-in-law Mike Kearns.
