Reinhold J. Schnabel

Sioux Falls: Reinhold (Reinie) J. Schnabel, 91, of Sioux Falls, died Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at Waterford At All Saints. He was born in McPherson County, South Dakota, on the family farm June 27, 1917, to Conrad and Eva (Dewald) Schnabel. He grew up and attended school in the Eureka area.

Reinie proudly served his country in the U.S. Army beginning in 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1946. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre for 18 months during World War II. For his service to our country, he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Philippine Liberation ribbon with two bronze stars and a bronze arrowhead and the Good Conduct Medal.

On Oct. 17, 1946, he was united in marriage with Rosetta Hilgemann in Eureka, S.D. They were married for 62 years and have two sons. During their marriage, they farmed near Eureka and in 1954 moved to town, where they owned and operated a produce station until 1968. At that time, they moved to Pierre, S.D., where he worked at various jobs and retired in 1978 from his position as a custodian in the Pierre School System. In 1988, the couple moved to Sioux Falls to be closer to family.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Sioux Falls and a lifetime member of the VFW. He enjoyed playing card games and pool, fishing, dancing and visiting with family and friends.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Rosetta; his sons, Charles (Voleta) Schnabel and grandsons Evan and Drew of Brookings, S.D., and Thomas (Kathrine) Schnabel of Sioux Falls; sisters, Marie Jakober of Victorville, Calif., Adeline Pfeifle and Otillia (Tillie) Merkel of Eureka; a brother, Benjamin, of Rapid City; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Emma Denning and Hilda Jakober; brothers, Edwin and Rudolph, and two brothers who died in infancy.

Celebration of Life and Resurrection will be 11 a.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church. Private interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. The family will be present to greet friends from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Miller Funeral Home, Main Avenue location.