Margaret Elyene Schaneman

Margaret Elyene Schaneman passed away Saturday, April 26, 2025, at The Residency Care Center.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 30, from 4pm-6pm, at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Home. Funeral Services, officiated by Pastor Rick Reisig, will be Thursday, May 1, at 10:30 am, at Salem Congregational Church, followed by lunch. Burial to follow the meal at Fairview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Salem Congregational Church.

Margaret was born in Minatare, NE, July 24, 1932, to John A. and Amolia (Meier) Burbach of Minatare, NE. Margaret spoke often about her life growing up on the farm near Minatare. She enjoyed reminiscing fondly about her cheerleading days for the Minatare Indians. She always looked forward to, and was excited about, the Minatare class reunions.

Margaret married LeRoy Schaneman January 13, 1952, at Salem Congregational Church, Scottsbluff, NE. This union was blessed with three children: Rodney, Karen, and Dean. Margaret was not only a wife and mother, but she also taught at Browns Canyon School and later received a teaching certificate from Western Nebraska Junior College. She also served as a census taker, election poll administrator, and worked in the County Assessor’s Office.

Margaret was very involved with activities at Salem Congregational Church of which she and LeRoy were lifelong members. She was a wonderful cook and baker. She spent countless hours preparing bread for the church bazaar and was nicknamed the “dough maker.” She was instrumental in her participation with Sunday School, the Study Circle, Friendly Circle, Ladies Aid, and Reach Out (serving funeral dinners) at Salem. She sang in the church choir and the German Choir. She enjoyed using her musical talents. Her passions also included heated games of Scrabble and various card games.

She was always hard at work alongside her husband LeRoy in raising many of the valley crops and sheep on their farms. She was well known for her home cooked meals and hospitality. Upon retirement she and LeRoy enjoyed traveling in their motorhome and spent several winters in Arizona. They enjoyed traveling to the Germans from Russia Conventions around the country.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband LeRoy of 66 years, parents John and Amolia Burbach, son-in-law John Schultz, brothers-in-law Floyd Schaneman, George Schaneman, Conrad Schaneman and wife Doris, Henry Schaneman and wife Frieda, Lawrence Schaneman and wife Millie, John Schaneman and wife Clara, Walter Schaneman; sisters-in-law Betty Vail and husband Myron, Liz Stitt and husband Everett, Ann Foos and husband Harold, Katherine Schledewitz and husband Conrad, Carol Burbach, Mildred Burbach; brothers-in-law James Stewart, Jack Conrad, and Gary McMurtry; family friend Leona Swartwood.

She is survived by her children Rodney (Cheryl) Schaneman, Melbeta, NE, Karen (Mark) Flohr, Adel, IA, Dean (Sharon) Schaneman, Scottsbluff, NE; grandchildren Katryna Schaneman, Warnar (Ginger) Schaneman, Allen Schaneman, Brian (Shemekia) Schultz, Sara Schultz, Kurt Schaneman, Emyly (Dustin) Bauer; great grandchildren Tara, Tori and Johnny Schultz, Tate and Collin Schaneman, Quinten and Vivian Bauer; great great granddaughter Raelynn Schultz; siblings Marilyn Stewart, John Burbach, Roger Burbach, Judy McMurtry, Jim (Dawn) Burbach; sisters-in-law Norma Conrad, Dorothy Schaneman, and Mildred Schaneman.