Edna Jeanne Schnell

November 15, 1926 – July 28, 2016

Edna Jeanne “Jeanne” Schnell, beloved wife of the late Frank C. Schnell, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2016, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was born in Valentine, Nebraska on November 15, 1926 to Leon and Fern (Syfert) Prang.

Jeanne graduated from Valentine High School. She met Frank in Omaha, Nebraska where she was working as a bookkeeper. They were married in Omaha on May 16, 1952. They lived in Germany and enjoyed traveling to several European countries as Frank continued his career with the Air Force. They established their roots in Colorado Springs more than fifty years ago.

Jeanne was the self appointed Chief Event Planner of the Comanche Drive neighborhood. This included bringing neighborhood kids to the Street Breakfast, Frontier Days, picnics at Cheyenne Canyon and her annual neighborhood July 4 party – a tradition she continued until her last living days. She was considered by many to be the heart of the neighborhood. She loved planning parties of any type, but in particular bridge parties, and every holiday was a reason for celebration and decorating. To Jeanne, no holiday should be left undecorated.

One of her passions was the Marian House Soup Kitchen ministry where she was the Chief Cook for twenty years. She also helped to organize the St. Paul annual St. Patrick’s Day card party and fundraiser.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband Frank of 59 years, son James E. Miller, and brother Luverne Prang. She is survived by daughters Dorothy McDonald of Lexington, Kentucky, Linda (Peter) Hannon of Colorado Springs and Susan (Terry) Kluesner of Sherman, Texas; sister Alice Hayward of Loveland, Colorado, seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Her door was always open to new guests and there was always an extra place setting just in case.

Visitation will take place from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 1 at Swan-Law Funeral Directors, 501 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 2 at St. Paul Catholic Church, 9 El Pomar Drive. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 3, at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd., in Denver.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Marian House, 14 W. Bijou St. Colorado Springs, CO 80903, Pikes Peak Hospice, 2550 Tenderfoot Hill St. Colorado Springs, Co 80906, or the charity of choice.