Marjorie M. (Smith)

Schneider, 89 of Callaway, died peacefully Aug. 10, 2024, at the Perkins County Hospital in Grant, surrounded by her family. Marjorie was born July 8, 1935, in Kearney, to James and Bessie (Vangreen) Smith of rural Callaway.

She was named for Marjorie (Stryker) Edgington, a country schoolteacher who had boarded with her parents. Marjorie attended Sand Valley Country School through 8th grade across the road from the farm where she lived since age eight, west of Callaway. She then attended Callaway High School where she graduated in 1952 as valedictorian. Having taken normal teacher training during high school, Marjorie taught at a country school west of Callaway for a year after graduating in order to save money to go to college. She then attended Kearney State College to become a teacher. Marjorie filled in for a teacher on maternity leave in January 1955 in Cozad. She taught first grade at Cozad for a year and a half. She had planned to take a teaching job in Minden, but met the love of her life, Alex W. Schneider of Cozad. They were married Aug. 11, 1956, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Callaway. Marjorie taught fourth grade in Cozad for another year before she and Alex moved home to Marjorie’s family farm west of Callaway.

After Marjorie’s father passed away in 1956, Marjorie and Alex farmed and ranched and raised their three children on the same homestead where Marjorie was raised. Marjorie returned to Kearney State College and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1969. She taught fifth grade at Callaway from 1969 to 1996. Marjorie was a substitute teacher at Callaway Elementary School for several years after she retired. She was also a voracious reader. She read scripture daily and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. Marjorie devoted her life to loving her family and helping people at school, at church and in the community of Callaway.

In 1986, Alex and Marjorie received the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Family Award from Knights of AK-SAR-BEN honoring the Edward Smith Homestead, whose family owned the same farm for 100 years thus contributing a century of loyal service to the development of Nebraska agriculture.

Marjorie and Alex enjoyed fishing and socializing with their friends at Van’s Lakeview at Lake McConaughy until 2019. Marjorie received Master Angler awards for catching a qualifying white bass in 1995 and walleye in 1999. Alex and Marjorie also enjoyed traveling across the United States as well as to Mexico, El Salvador, Rome and Germany. Marjorie was famous for baking cookies and zucchini bread for friends and family. She also canned vegetables from their enormous garden.

After her husband Alex passed away, Marjorie moved to Park Ridge Assisted Living in Grant to be closer to her daughters. She enjoyed getting cards, letters, phone calls and visits from friends and family. She liked to watch Husker volleyball and ‘Let’s Make A Deal’ on TV. Marjorie was a lifetime member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and the Callaway American Legion Auxiliary Post 59.

Survivors include her son, Alex James (Jackie) Schneider of Lincoln; daughters, Sheri (Jack) Chittenden of Paxton, and Connie Holz of Ogallala; sister, Jody Farmer of Sidney; grandchildren, Jon (Kelsey) Chittenden of Yutan, Leanne (Jeremy) Orlowski of Lincoln, Jessica (Matt) Deaver of Grant, and Alex (Addison) Schneider of Lincoln; eight great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband Alex; her parents; her infant siblings, Terrence and Mary Smith; and her son-in-law, Denton Holz.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Callaway Hospital District Foundation or to St. Boniface Catholic Church. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, Aug. 16, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Callaway with the Rev. Thomas Bush officiating. A burial followed at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Berryman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.