Deborah "Deb" (Green) Schnell, 59, of Randolph, Neb., formerly of Sergeant Bluff, gained her wings June 4, 2016, after a four-year battle with cancer.
Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church in Randolph. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sioux City. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Homes in Sioux City. Visitation will resume 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church.
Deb was born on Oct. 17, 1956, in Sioux City. She was the only daughter of three children born to Guiles and Betty (Barber) Green. Debbie grew up in Sergeant Bluff, and was active in Girl Scouts, choir and the church. She attended Sergeant Bluff Luton High School and graduated in 1974. She continued her education at Wayne State College in Nebraska and earned her bachelor's degree.
She enjoyed teaching kindergarten at Randolph Public Schools for 34 years. Her love for children didn't stop when school was out. She spent many summers caring for her nieces and nephews with swimming, camping, tubing and taking them on vacations. Deb married Ray Schnell on May 27, 1989, at United Methodist Church in Sergeant Bluff. They resided in Randolph with Ray's children, Nicole and Eric. To this union, one daughter was born, Sydnee Marguerite.
Her life revolved around her family. If you needed help, she was always there with wisdom, love and support. She and Ray enjoyed camping and fishing. She always loved to travel, visiting various places including Ireland, Germany, most of the United States and taking an Alaskan cruise. She was a big kid who enjoyed watching cartoons with the kids.
Deb was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Randolph and its women's group. She was also a member of NSEA, REA and the PEO.
Survivors include her husband, Ray Schnell of Randolph; three children, Nicole (Brian) Berner of Belden, Neb., Eric (Melissa) Schnell and daughter, Isabelle stationed in Germany, and Sydnee Schnell of Randolph; her mother, Betty Green of Sergeant Bluff; two brothers, Chip (Debby) Green of Sergeant Bluff and David (Mary) Green of Emerson, Neb.; brother-in-law, Daniel (Priscilla) Schnell of Elizabeth, Colo.; many nieces and nephews, Amy (Bill) Cadwallader, Tamie Rollison, Angie (Nick) Mercer, Jessie (Eric) Marnell, Bradley Green and their children, Garrett, Saige, Emily, Hunter, Aliana, Alexandria, Marley, Amelia and Quinn; and aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father.