Gary Louis Schoning

Gary Schoning, 69, of Thornton, formerly of Sheffield, passed away peacefully with his soulmate/loving wife by his side, and his family by his side. He gave a long hard-fought battle against cancer. He never once lost hope in the 7+ years. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 7, 2024, at Zion St. John Lutheran Church in Sheffield. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 8, 2024, at Zion St. John Lutheran Church in Sheffield. Gary will be laid to rest at Pleasant Valley Township Cemetery in rural Swaledale. Woodley Funeral Home of Sheffield is caring for Gary and his family.
Gary was born on June 3, 1954, at Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, to Louis and Dorothy (Schroeder) Schoning. He was the oldest of four children. Gary graduated from Sheffield-Chapin High School in 1972. He then went to NIACC receiving his degree in Retail Merchandising. Gary worked at St. Paul Clothiers before coming back to the family farm to work with his dad and Grandpa Schroeder. In 1974, he had a job with Sukup Manufacturing while farming. Gary enjoyed the trade show road. First, he started with selling Lyon's Basket Company, then his last was selling lotion, lip butters and soaps for Honey House Naturals.
Gary had a gift of gab and could sell to anybody. He enjoyed his show family. He and his wife, April, had a lot of fun times on all their trips when she helped him for a few years.
Gary is blessed with two daughters from his first marriage, Kaci and Amy. He eventually became a grandpa and a great-grandpa.
Gary met his soulmate, loving wife, April, by selling seed to her father. It took just one conversation about going hunting. They went hunting in the winter of 2016; one shot through the floor board of his truck and dead center of the exhaust, missing the catalytic converter. That is when they started dating and then got married on September 9, 2023.
Gary's deep love for land and all things farming never went unnoticed. You would find Gary spending long days in the field during farming season; always the first one out and the last one in. Involving his friends in helping with season or helping a friend in need. Gary always felt close to God out in the field; a passion he looked forward to all the time. He gathered his friends and hunted for 48+ years. The phrase "If it's brown, it's down!" was commonly said. He always wanted the youngsters to shoot a deer; he always said, "I don't need to shoot one." Gary could be found sharing stories and having a few drinks after every hunting day. Everyone enjoyed his smile, laugh and kind-hearted nature, including a saying he used continuously, "It is what it is".
Those left to celebrate Gary's life, memories, and mourn his passing are his soulmate, loving wife, April (Markwardt) Schoning; daughters Kaci (Glen) Harper and Amy (Joe) McKee; siblings Greg (Sue) Schoning, Diane (Rich) Duzenbury, and David Schoning; grandchildren: Samantha (Nathan) Meinders along with great-grandson Jacksyn, Madisyn Harper, Emma, Cole, and Cale McKee; many nieces and nephews, along with many other relatives and friends which he called family. He was preceded in death by his parents.