Eugene P. Schnepf

NOTICE: Rock Rapids, IA Eugene Paul Schnepf, age 80 of Rock Rapids, IA died Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at Rock Rapids Health Centre. A memorial service will be 11:00 AM, Saturday Jan. 7th at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Dan Kordahl officiating. Visitation will be Saturday Jan. 7th from 10:00 AM until the hour of service at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. Eugene Paul Schnepf was born November 3, 1931, on a farm in Logan Township, Lyon County, Iowa, the 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 joined the United States Air Force in 1951. He served our country in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Gene married Jacqueline Phylis Root and the two were blessed with a son, Jeffrey John Schnepf. In 1976 Genes wife, Jacqueline died from cancer. In 1979 Gene received his honorable discharge along with Meritorious Service Medal (one oak leaf cluster) and the Air Force Commendation Medal (three oak clusters). He retired with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. On May 28, 1983 Gene married Nevada Ann Bartels in Council Bluffs, IA. In 1988 Gene and Ann moved to a home in Rock Rapids, IA, where they resided the remainder of their life. Gene and Ann were blessed with ten plus years of Snow Bird vacations to Apache Junction, AZ. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed pheasant hunting and walleye fishing. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Boarder Lodge No. 406 of Rock Rapids, the Rex Strait Post No. 103 American Legion and Van Anne-Fields Post No. 6960 V.F.W. of Rock Rapids. In November of 2009 Genes wife, Ann died, after 26 years of marriage. Gene remained living in their home and maintaining his garden. In November of 2011 Gene entered the Rock Rapids Health Centre and remained there until his death. Gene is survived by two children, Tracy Jordan of Council Bluffs, IA and Jeff (his wife, Bobbie) Schnepf of Albany, LA; five grandchildren; Kimberly and Stephanie Axtell, Matthew and Jacqueline Schnepf, and Desiree Boudreaux; one sister, Elinor (her husband, Charles) Ward of Longmont, CO; one brother, Gerry (his wife, Pat) Schnepf of Des Moines, IA; sisters-in-law, Marian Schnepf of Rock Rapids, IA, and Beverly Fairbairn of Hudson, Ontario, Canada; and; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Esther Schnepf, previous wife, Jacqueline Schnepf and late wife, Nevada Ann Schnepf; and two brothers, Jim and Donald Schnepf.