Clifford F. Schneider

Clifford Schneider was born in a sod house on a farm outside Haynes, N.D. on May 9, 1924 to Emil and Bertha (Miller) Schneider. The son of an immigrant father, he was the third child of 12. He is survived by his wife, Maureen Schneider at the home, 3 sisters, Vera Schneider Wahl (Duane) Eden Prairie, MN, Doreen Schneider Edwards of TerraHaute, IN and Phyllis (Schneider) Neilsen (LeRoy) of Pine Haven, WY; three daughters, Roann Mietzner (Joel) and granddaughters Susanne and Joanne of Orcas, WA; Lanette Pratt (Ken) and granddaughters Crystal and Angela of Tumwater, WA; and Nona Ellsworth (Charles) and grandchildren Bryce, Amber and Tristin, Sturgeon Bay, WI. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive him. Clifford attended school at a one-room school located near the family farm. He attended high school in Hettinger, N.D. where he boarded in the boys dorm during the weekdays. After graduation he worked the family farm because he was deferred until his younger brother was called to service. At that time Clifford enlisted rather than his brother. Clifford spent 1 ½ years serving in the US Army of Occupation in Japan. Upon returning to the U.S. and North Dakota he entered college at the University of North Dakota and received his degree in Civil Engineering. Right after graduation he entered the work force with the U.S. Geological Survey. He worked for the USGS in North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and finally Washington as an engineer for 28 ½ years, completing 30 years of federal service. Upon retirement from the Federal Government he returned to his love of farming. The farm Cliff and Maureen purchased in 1969 became his full-time hobby/job. He continued to farm until 2007, but returned to the farm until 1 ½ weeks before his death. Clifford loved to travel and attended all but one Schneider family reunion. He and Maureen traveled nearly every state in this country and they almost always traveled by car. He even made two trips to Alaska, fulfilling a life-long dream. He is dearly loved and will be missed by his family and his church at Millwood. A visitation will take place on Sunday August 8, from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm at Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home, 1306 N Pines Road, Spokane Valley, WA. Services will be held on Monday, August 9, 2010 at 10:00 am at the Millwood Community Presbyterian Church, followed by burial at the Veterans Cemetery just west of Medical Lake at 2:00 pm. In his memory donations may be made to the Millwood Community Presbyterian Church or to Hospice of Spokane.