Geneva Schnell

Geneva Schnell left her earthly life to be with her maker on April 29, 2023. She died peacefully at her home in Bismarck at age 99.

Visitation will be at the Edgewood Village Chapel 3124 Colorado Ln, Bismarck from 5:30PM - 6:30PM on Friday, May 26. A vigil/prayer service will begin at 6:30 PM.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Saturday May 27 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church 725 12th St W, Dickinson, ND with burial in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Dickinson, to follow.

Geneva was born in Werner, ND on November 28, 1923 at the home of her parents, Jack and Katherine (Lueckenbach) Grasl. She lived with her parents in Werner until 1930, when the family moved to New England, ND. She helped her parents in the operation of the family's grocery and meat market in New England and attended St. Mary's Catholic school there. Geneva attended Dickinson State College and worked as a medical assistant at Rodgers and Gumper Clinic She also worked as a teller at Liberty National Bank and in the office of Schnell Livestock Auction Market, now Stockmen's Livestock Exchange.

Geneva married Raymond Schnell in December, 1949 and they soon afterward moved to Fort Collins, CO where Raymond finished his education at Colorado A&M, now Colorado State University. After returning to Dickinson following Raymond's graduation, Geneva was a full-time mom of five children while husband, Raymond, managed the livestock auction market and traveled around the country on behalf of various livestock industry organizations. Geneva and Raymond were members of Queen of Peace Parish in Dickinson until moving to Edgewood Vista Village, Bismarck, in 2012. Geneva was an active member of Catholic Daughters, St. Francis Cabrini Study Club, Dorcas Society, ND Cattle Women, and ND Mothers Association. She volunteered at St. Luke's Nursing Home and for 25 years she volunteered for Dickinson Nutrition Services, coordinating and delivering meals to elderly and disabled people.

Her Catholic faith and music were big in Geneva's life and she sang with St. Mary's church choir, New England, Queen of Peace church choir, Prairie Rose barbershop chorus, and several other music groups.

Geneva is survived by children, Gary (Alexana Ryer), Greeley, CO, Margaret Sundet (Warren), Williston, ND, Don (Karen Mertz) Canton, GA, Sheila Gilbertson (Jed), Bismarck, ND; son-in-law, Ron Christensen (Angie Evans), Nampa, ID; 11 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters; Marguerite Simon and Kathleen Armstrong; husband, Raymond; and daughter, Mary Kay Christensen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Home on the Range, Sentinel Butte, or Dorcas Society, Dickinson.