Gertrude (Jansen) Schnell, 91, of Pella and formerly of Sully, passed away Saturday morning, Nov. 12, 2016, at Grinnell Health Care Center.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church west of Sully. Family committal service preceded the service at St. Andrew’s Cemetery. Memorials are suggested for the St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church of Sully.
Gertrude Jansen was the youngest of seven children born to Gerrit and Gertrude (Rozenboom) Jansen. She was born Sept. 25, 1925, south of Lynnville. Gertrude received a grade school education at a country grade school. On Jan. 11, 1946, she and Robert John Schnell were united in marriage at the parsonage of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. To this union three children were born.
Farming became a way of life for both Robert and Gertrude, a career he began as a young man before they were married. They farmed in the Sully area until the early 1970s at which time they moved into Sully. They were inseparable both as wife and husband for 66 years and working companions. Gertrude enjoyed gardening and canning the produce and crocheting. She baked many pies and angel food cakes. Most importantly, she will be remembered for devotion to her church, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School and was a self-taught church organist for many years. Robert Schnell passed away on June 10, 2012, at the age of 90 years. Subsequent to his death, Gertrude experienced several physical challenges and issues which required assistance in care facilities in Pella.
She is survived by her three children: Rolland (Donna) Schnell of Newton, Dale (Roberta) Schnell of Lynnville, and Barbara (John) Freeborn of Lynnville; seven grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Of her original family, Gertrude leaves one sister-in-law, Cora Jansen of Grinnell.
She was preceded in death by a grandson, Gregory Schnell, who died at age 16 in 1986; a great-granddaughter, Megan Hoogeveen, who died at age 18 in 2011; and her husband, Robert Schnell. She was the last surviving member of her original family and was preceded in death by her parents and the following siblings and their spouses: Everett and Nellie Jansen, Case and Florence Jansen, Jake Jansen and his wives Adrianna and Esther, Henry Jansen, Minnie and Cecil Van Rees, and Wilma and James Vos. Additionally, she was preceded in death by her parents-in-law, Louis and Myrtle (Rohrdanz) Schnell; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Raymond and Agnes Schnell, Wilbur and Anna Schnell, Claire and Goldie Schnell, and Dorothy and Loren Elliott. Gertrude was baptized at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church near Sully on Apr. 14, 1946, where she remained a faithful, contributing member.
