Mary Schneider

Mary Jane "M.J." Schneider, age 84 of Melrose, died unexpectedly on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at the CentraCare Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, January 20 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating and Deacon Ernie Kociemba assisting. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Christian Mothers and the St. Elizabeth's Society will pray at 5 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Mary Jane Schoenberg was born August 24, 1929 in Spring Hill Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to William and Eleanore (Braun) Schoenberg. She was united in marriage to Norbert Schneider on August 29, 1950 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. M.J. was a foster grandparent for the past 24 years and was fondly known as "Grandma M.J." She was also an active volunteer at the Pine Villa Nursing Home in Melrose. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, Christian Mothers, and the St. Elizabeth's Society.

M.J. enjoyed visiting with her family and friends, crocheting, and loved playing cards. Her greatest love was her husband and family which brought her great pride and joy for which she was now "Reaping the Harvest."

Survivors include her husband, Norbert Schneider of Melrose; children, Mary (Bill) Spanier of Melrose, Deb (Roy) Denne of Avon, Gene (Molly) Schneider of Melrose, Ken (Katy Madden) Schneider of Melrose, Amy Hiltner of Richmond, Diane (Peter) Gruber of Melrose, Dona (Dana) Buttenhoff of Maple Lake, Ruth (Al) Hoeschen of Apple Valley, Sara (Sam) Uphoff of Elk River, and Eva (Gene) Gruber of Richmond; 23 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; brothers and sister, Fr. Oscar Schoenberg of Onamia, Br. Walter Schoenberg of Dubuque, Iowa, Helen Mueller of Paynesville, and Br. Leo Schoenberg of Onamia.

M.J. was in preceded in death by her parents; infant twin sons; grandsons, Cahil Schneider and Jake Uphoff; brothers, Fr. Martin Schoenberg, and Victor Schoenberg; two infant brothers, John and Lawrence Schoenberg; sisters, Sr. Lucy Schoenberg and Flora Eull; and son-in-law, Paul Hiltner.

Serving as casket bearers will be Ryan Spanier, Justin Schneider, Ross Denne, Brett Gruber, Drew Hoeschen, and Blake Hoeschen. Cross bearer will be Eric Spanier and scripture bearer will be Kaitlyn Gruber.