Rolland Dean Schnell, 79, of rural Newton, died at home with his wife by his side on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 20, at Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton. The family will greet friends from 9-11 a.m., Friday, at the church. Memorials to the Megan Hoogeveen Memorial Foundation may be left at the church the day of the service or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory, Newton.
Rolland, the son of Robert and Gertrude (Jansen) Schnell, was born Jan. 4, 1947. He attended country school in Jasper County before graduating from Lynnville-Sully High School in 1965. After high school, Rolland received a degree in engineering from Iowa State University. June 9, 1967, Rolland was united in marriage with Donna Mumm in Oelwein. Rolland started his career with John Deere while living in Dike. In the early 1970s, he and Donna returned to Jasper County to run the family farm. Farming was not only his livelihood but his pastime and passion. Rolland served in the Iowa National Guard for over 20 years and enjoyed rebuilding cars. Rolland attended St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church for many years. He served on the board of the Sully Co-op. From 2011-2019, he was on the board for the Iowa Soybean Association, serving as president from 2016-2017. Rolland was charismatic and larger than life. He never met a stranger and loved spending time with family and friends.
Rolland is survived by his wife Donna Schnell of Newton; his daughter Teresa Schnell (Terry Mathews) of Walker, her son Benjamin Hoogeveen (Megan Schuttler) and their children Parker, Olivia, and Christian; his son Jason (Londa) Schnell and their children Riley (Cori) Schnell, Rian, Vera, and Bennett, Emma (Trey) Vanderlaan and Paxton, Parker (Kara) Schnell, Lincoln Schnell, and Jordyn Schnell. He is also survived by his brother Dale (Bert) Schnell of Lynnville; his sister Barb (John) Freeborn of Lynnville; Donna’s family; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law Melvin and Ethel Mumm; and a granddaughter Megan Hoogeveen.
