Edward J. "Jim" Schnaidt, 88 passed away peacefully Thursday, June 23, 2011 at the Menno-Olivet Care Center in Menno. Funeral services will be held at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Menno on Tuesday, June 28 2011 at 10:30 AM. Burial will be at the Menno Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites by Rames-Bender America Legion Post #152. Visitations will be from 1 PM to 8 PM on Monday, June 27, 2011 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Menno is in handling arrangements.
Jim was born August 29, 1922 at Yankton, South Dakota to Dr. E.J. and Emelia (Ulmer) Schnaidt.
He was baptized on November 26, 1922 and confirmed July 11, 1937 in the Peace Lutheran Church. He was a life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Menno. He served in various offices there, including Financial Secretary and Chairman of the church council. He attended school in Menno. He entered college at Yankton College but his education was interrupted when he entered the U.S. Army on April 26, 1943, initially training in the paratroopers and then transferring into the infantry. He served in Europe, arriving shortly after D-Day and was honorably discharged on April 4, 1946. He was a member of Rames-Bender Post #152 of the American Legion in Menno.
He returned to Menno, finished his education at the University of South Dakota, and in 1947, began a career in the Menno State Bank, a business founded by his grandfather, J.W. Ulmer, Sr. He was active in the day to day operations until a fall in January of 2008 while walking home from work. At that time, he retired from active service but remained as Chairman of the Board until January of 2011. He served in the local bank for over 60 years.
Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially goose and pheasant hunting in the fall and his annual trek to the Lake of the Woods in Canada every spring. He was also quite good at working with his hands and always took pride in the fact that he built most of his home himself except for the skills he didn't have, such as plastering or cement work. He was active in the community, serving in many capacities, including School Board clerk for many years. He very much enjoyed travel with his wife Esther and often remarked in his later years that he was so glad that he had done it when it was still rather easy to do.
In December of 2010, he moved into the Menno-Olivet Care Center due to declining health.
He was preceded in death by his father, in 1937, his mother in 1973, his wife Esther in 2002, an infant daughter Sue Ann and two infant brothers, Charles and Robert.
He is survived by his children, Steven (Kathy) of Moscow, Russia, Jeanne (Steve) McLaughlin of Sellersburg, IN, James (Robin) of Menno and Thomas of Sioux Falls, 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
