Dean William Schnell

Dean William Schnell, 85, of Bemidji, MN (formerly from Iowa), died Friday, May 4, 2018 at Abbott Northwestern Medical Center in Minneapolis surrounded by family.

Memorial Services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 26, 2018 at the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home, Bemidji. Family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Dean was born April 5, 1933 in Dysart, IA the son of William and Verna (Vaupel) Schnell. He attended school in Dysart graduating in 1951. After high school Dean joined the Army. While he was away he served in Germany. After leaving the Army, he went back to Iowa, graduating from Iowa State University. In 1970 he moved to Bemidji where he became General Manager and Owner of North Central Door Company. After years of running the business, the time had come to retire. Dean and Patricia “Pat” Riley were married on October 31, 1989. There are so many happy memories. He was active with the VFW Post 1260, American Legion Post #14, Bemidji Elks Lodge 1052, The Bemidji Masonic Lodge, The Headwaters Shrine Club and a Charter Member of the Eagles Aerie 351. Dean loved doing crossword puzzles. He was very creative when making wood and glass sculptures. Card playing was another pastime along with golfing, bowling and doing magic tricks.  Dean also loved to travel.

Dean is survived by his wife Pat of 28 years, children Mark (Joleen) of Bemidji, David (Alexi) of Orlando, Brenda (Theron) Buzzard of Gilbert, AZ and Dana (Yolanda) of Phoenix, and Jay of Minneapolis; step-children Todd (Barbara) of Savage and Shawn Carlson of Bemidji; 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; a brother Allen of Cedar Rapids, IA; many nieces and nephews and also his little furry buddy, Yogi.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Verna (Vaupel) Schnell; sister Ardith Bull; brother-in-law, Lee Bull and sister-in-law, Glenna Schnell.

Dean will be greatly missed.

Online guestbook at www.OlsonSchwartzFuneralHome.com

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