Donald D. Schnepf

Donald D. Schnepf, age 84, of Rock Rapids, IA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 15, 2009, at the Rock Rapids Health Centre after a long illness. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday, October 23, 2009, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, with Reverend Dave Christenson officiating. Burial will follow at the Riverview Cemetery of Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Thursday, October 22nd from 2-8 PM with the family present from 6-8 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home, 1207 Park Drive, Rock Rapids, IA. Donald D. Schnepf was born on November 18, 1924, on a farm in Logan Township, Lyon County, Iowa, the second son of Frederick and Esther (Oldenburg) Schnepf. He was baptized and confirmed at the Christ Lutheran Church in Alvord, IA. He attended country school and graduated from Lester High School. He studied two years at the University of South Dakota, and then transferred to the University of Iowa, where he graduated in 1946 with a degree in Business Administration. He was united in marriage to Marian Borman on September 11, 1949. Don worked for the Rock Rapids State Bank as cashier for 13 years. He continued in business and became a partner in the Dirks & Oldenburg Insurance Agency in Rock Rapids, which eventually became the Oldenburg-Schnepf Agency, and ultimately the Schnepf & Miller Agency. He remained in the insurance and real estate business for over 28 years until he retired in 1990. Don was very active in the Rock Rapids community where he was a long-time member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. He was active in his childrens lives serving as Cub Scout Master for several years and helping out with the Boy Scout Troop. Over the years, he also served as president of the Rock Rapids Jaycees, state vice president of the Iowa Jaycees, president of Kiwanis, board member of the Community Affairs Committee, president of Merrill Pioneer Hospital Board of Directors, chairman of the local Salvation Army for Lyon County for many years, president of Rock River Golf Club Board of Directors, as well as master of the local Masonic Lodge where he was a member for over 50 years. Throughout his life, Don enjoyed bowling, fishing, hunting, golfing, and wood-working, as well as watching his favorite Chicago Cubbies play ball! Don was very much a people person. He particularly enjoyed young children and would always have a wink and a grin for them. But his three granddaughters were certainly the apple of his eye! He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Marian Schnepf, of Rock Rapids; two sons, Randall (Anita) Schnepf of McLean, VA and Paul (Lori) Schnepf of Inver Grove Heights, MN; daughter Nancy (Joseph) Stein of Plymouth, MN; and three grandchildren, Neesha Schnepf of Ithaca, NY; Rekha Schnepf of McLean, VA; and Mikayla Stein of Plymouth, MN; brothers Eugene (Ann) Schnepf of Rock Rapids and Gerald (Pat) Schnepf of Des Moines, IA; and sister, Elinor (Charles) Ward of Longmont, CO; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Don was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, James Schnepf, and his wife, Mary Ann; and sister-in-law Jackie Schnepf. Memorials are preferred, in lieu of flowers, to the Sanford Hospital of Rock Rapids, IA.