Carl Schoner

Dec. 10, 1927 - Feb. 21, 2017

Carl Schoner passed away peace-fully on Feb. 21, surrounded by his loving family. Carl was born in Sacramento, the only child of Carl Schoner and Dorothy Edwards Schoner. Carl's dad was a dedicated dairy farmer and his mother was a lifelong educator. Carl spent his early school years living with his mother and grandmother who were both teachers in Sacramento. When he was 11 years old Carl moved to the dairy at Trowbridge in Sutter County. Upon graduation from East Nicolaus High School in 1945 he enlisted in the Naval Air Corps and was stationed in Jacksonville, FL. After his time in the Navy, Carl enrolled at UC Davis on the GI bill and graduated in 1951 with a degree in Animal Husbandry.

Carl married his lifelong sweetheart, Alice Rutz, of Nicolaus in May 1952. After a short time working on the dairy, they decided there must be more to life than milking cows. Carl accepted a position with the UC Agricultural Extension Service in Fresno and then transferred to Woodland where he spent 37 years as a Farm Advisor. Carl was appointed Yolo County Director in 1966, a position he held until his retirement in 1989. Carl enjoyed his work for the University and greatly appreciated the sabbatical program which made it possible for him to continue his education, receiving a Masters Degree in Agricultural Education from UCD in 1962 and a Doctorate in Plant Ecology from Oregon State University in 1974. Carl said his long career in agriculture confirmed something he always knew: people involved in farming are the most likeable he has ever met.

After retirement, Carl fulfilled his lifelong dream as he and Alice traveled throughout the US and Canada in their trailer. They also traveled to Switzerland, Germany and the British Isles as Carl pursued his passion for Genealogy. He provided his children and grandchildren a family history going back over 200 years.

Carl's greatest love was being with his family. He is survived by his wife of 64 wonderful years, Alice; three children, Paula (Tim) Rattigan, Linda (Pete) Cova and Sam (Jennifer) Schoner; and six grandchildren, Christine, Will, Kristen (Curtis), Amy, Sarah and Lauren.

A celebration of life will be held at The Christian Church, 509 College St., on Saturday, March 4, at 1 p.m., with a reception to follow.

Those wishing to remember Carl can do so by donating to the Woodland Christian Church, 509 College St., Woodland or St. Johns Retirement Village, 135 Woodland Ave., Woodland 95695.