Hewitt Alexander "Lex" Schoonover

Hewitt Alexander "Lex" Schoonover, Age 101, of Edina, died peacefully in his sleep on September 21, 2025, one month shy of his 102nd birthday. Born in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania and raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Lex was a World War II combat veteran who served in Europe with the 106th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army and was a prisoner of war in Germany.

After his discharge from the Army, Lex graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and began a long and successful retail career with Sears Roebuck & Co., where he spent 14 years working his way up the ranks to store manager and managed several smaller stores in Cleveland, Ohio, before opening the new Sears Brookdale store in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, which he managed for 19 years.

Lex was active as an Elder and member of many committees at Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, was a founding member, director and vice president of the Brooklyn Center Chamber of Commerce as well as a founding member, director and president of the Brookdale Merchants Association, and a long time director of First Bank Robbinsdale. Upon retirement he volunteered extensively with SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) for over 20 years, was a Mason with the Scottish Rite of the Zuhrah Shrine Temple, and was highly involved at 7500 York Cooperative. For all his good work, he received the WCCO Good Neighbor Award in 1980, was named Merchant of the Year that same year, and enjoyed the declaration of Lex Schoonover Day in Brooklyn Center. With his wife Anne, he traveled the world, delighted in feeding the cows and doing farm chores at his daughter's home in Missouri, baked Christmas cookies every year with his Minneapolis grandkids, and could regularly be found on a golf course, staying vibrant and independent through his late 90s. His was a well-lived life.

Known for his tremendous generosity to his family, Lex spent his last few years happily at York Gardens Senior Living, where he went on every field trip he could, enjoying especially the fishing trips and the Arboretum tours. His family wishes to thank Jane and Sarah and their marvelous teams at York Gardens for their tremendous care and for making his final years so dignified, fulfilling and joyful. They ensured that he was always dressed in his formal white shirt, slacks with a belt, and dress shoes on Sunday, as had been his lifelong custom.

His family would also like to thank Paul of Christ Presbyterian Church for keeping him well supplied with cookies and bars.

Lex was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and wife of 55 years, Anne, his second wife, Jeanne, and his sister, Patty Frolking. He is survived by his son, John (Gillian), daughter, Susi (Don), grandchildren, Heather, Charles (Marie), Kevin (Elle), and Erica, and the joy of his life, nine great grandchildren.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Saturday, October 4 at 3 PM at York Gardens in Edina.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lex's name would be most welcome to: Shriners Children's Twin Cities, Office of Philanthropy, 215 Radio Dr. Suite 100, Woodbury, MN 55125 or call 612-913-7503 or donate online; or Christ Presbyterian Church, 6901 Normandale Rd., Edina, MN 55435 or on-line gift inquiries can be made at giving@cpcedina.org.