Ethel O. Schneider, 93, of Phillipsburg, Kansas was born on March 21, 1917 in a country home near Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. She was the oldest daughter of Paul and Marie (Lokken) Olson. Both of her parents immigrated from Norway. On November 14, 2010 she departed this life at her home in Phillipsburg to be with the Lord.

She grew up on a farm in the Pelican Rapids area. She attended Birch Knoll School in Otter Trail County and graduated the 8th grade in 1932. She then spent several years working on farms locally, then on farms and ranches in North Dakota and Montana. She met John E.
Schneider where they worked at the Hastings Naval Ammunition Depot during the war. John and Ethel were married in Laramie, Wyoming on July 25, 1946. To this union, one son James Leroy was born in 1952. John had two sons from a previous marriage, Victor V. Randolph and John J. Randolph who were blessings to her.

Ethel was a dedicated member of the Calvary Baptist Church and was a tireless worker in the church as long as she was able. She helped many times with the maintenance of the church and the annex. She taught Sunday School for many years. She was an expert seamstress and created beautiful quilts, sending many to missionaries. She enjoyed being a cook at Camp Joy in Harlan County, Ne. for many years and cooking for fellowship dinners at the Church. She continued, until recently, to sew kimonos and make medicine envelopes for mission causes.

Ethel enjoyed her home and especially her lovely climbing roses by the front door. She was blessed with many friends and relatives who will miss her very much.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, her son James, two sisters, Gladys Cunningham and Orpha Berrie and one brother, Maynard Olson.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law and caregiver, Carol LaForce, her stepsons, John J. Randolph & wife Marcia of Joplin, Missouri, Victor V. Randolph and wife Darlene of Abilene, Kansas, and grandchildren, Ronnie Schneider, Kelli Maurer, Toni Randolph Standley, Scott Randolph, Renee Gordon, Shelly Pfiefer, Ryan Randolph, Kelly Grabast, John Boden, Jeanne Bristol, Debbie Blocker, Kathy Patterson, Ricky Lee Randolph, Rod Randolph, Lisa Biles, Rebecca Randolph, Jarod Randolph, their spouses and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and others who called her Grandma.

Funeral services for Ethel were held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 20, 2010 in the Calvary Baptist Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Mark Gervais officiating. Burial followed in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church or Hospice Services, Inc.