Donald V Schneider

Donald Val Schneider, 91, of Lake Crystal died Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Hillcrest Care and Rehab Center in Mankato.  Private services will be held at a later date. Interment will be held at Barnard Valley View Cemetery in Good Thunder, MN.  Online condolences may be left at woodlandhillsfh.com.

Donald was born February 19, 1932 at home in Litchfield to Fredrick and Zilda (Turbett) Schneider.  He graduated from Thorp Wisconsin High School in 1950 and attended Eau Clair State College for one semester before joining the Navy on February 23, 1951. He served his country and saw the world, during his four years of service, including two tours of duty in Korea during the war. He was honorably discharged as an Electricians Mate 1st Class, on February 1, 1955.  He attended one year at Milwaukee School of Engineering and worked for two years at Louie Ellis Co factory in Milwaukee, WI before moving back to Minnesota. In 1958 he became an apprentice electrician for an electrical contractor.  Four years later he became a journeyman electrician and the next year making master electrician.  Donald was united in marriage to LaVonne Loy Lachmiller in 1962.  He worked for different electrical contractors in Lake City, Litchfield, and Owatonna, before moving to Lake Crystal, MN and starting his own business, Schneider Electric, in 1974. He loved his work, continuing until 2015 – at 83 years of age.   

He enjoyed having coffee, with cream and sugar, at home or with others, and a good chocolate chip cookie. If he could have, he would have had hamburgers for every meal! In his work and travels, there wasn’t a dog he met that he didn’t like or that didn’t like him! He enjoyed spending time with his family, and loved to play with his grandkids when they were little, on the floor, long after his knees said it was a good idea. He loved to travel, especially to the western states to see the beautiful and majestic mountains. Retelling those adventures of the beautiful scenery, good places to eat, and the people met along the way was his passion.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, LaVonne Schneider of Lake Crystal, MN; step son, Bruce Allan (Geri) Lachmiller of Clontarf, MN; daughter, Lori Kay (Troy) Allen of Lake Crystal;  grandchildren Rachel Lynn (Andrew) Meyer of Rochester, MN and Kyle Lee Allen of Lake Crystal, MN. 

Donald is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard Schneider; and half brothers, Clair Snyder and Lyle Snyder.

Thank you to all the Mayo Clinic doctors, nurses and staff in both Rochester and Mankato. Also, to all the staff at Laurel’s Peak and Hillcrest Rehabilitation Centers. And especially to the Mayo Clinic Hospice Team. Without your knowledge, technology, and excellent care and concern, he wouldn’t have been here for 91 years.