Jerry A. Schnell of Gering passed away on Monday, March 2, 2015 at Heritage Estates.

Jerry was born in Scottsbluff to Hilda Stricker and Dave Schnell on Aug. 23, 1945. He was the oldest of five children. After his father’s early death, his mother remarried and he gained a wonderful step-father and three step-siblings that he loved very much. He graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1965. He was then drafted into the United States Marine Corp. where he served active duty from 1965-1967 and was then inactive duty for four years after that. He then came back to Scottsbluff and met and married the love of his life Mia Ruppert on Feb. 9, 1969. They had two children, David Schnell of Gering and Melissa Lashley of Mitchell. He was also blessed with three grand- daughters, Kaitlin Amber, Addison Grace and Cambree Lin whom he adored. He also thought a lot of Cambree’s father Robert Cover Jr. and enjoyed talking about farming with him as he grew up on a farm himself. His last job was as a Water Operator with the City of Scottsbluff and became close with a few of his co-workers there. He loved to be outside working in his garden, camping or just sitting out on the patio with his family drinking iced tea. He is survived by his Mother Hilda, wife of 46 years Mia, his children David Schnell and Melissa Lashley and two grand daughters, Addison and Cambree, Brothers Norman (Barb) Schnell, Stan (Teri) Schnell, Rick (Robyn) Gross, brother in law Steve Carr, sister in law Deb Nickal, sister in law Marlene Mikkelson, sister in law LaVonne Frakes, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins that he cared deeply for.

He is preceded in death by his father Dave, step-father Neal, mother in law Faye, sister Janet, brother Calvin, step brother Ron, step sister Shari, brother in law Larry and precious grand daughter Katy.