Elisabeth Ann Diepersloot Schnitzler

Elisabeth Ann Diepersloot Schnitzler of Visalia, CA went to be with the Lord February 13, 2016, surrounded by her loving husband and family. She was born in Visalia on February 19,1972 to Adrian and Willy Diepersloot, joining five much older siblings who were proud to jump in as "extra parents".

Lisa attended CVC Elementary and Redwood High School before going to Calvin College in Grand Rapids Michigan where she graduated with a BA in Environmental Studies and Political Science. After college she did a summer internship for a congressman in Washington D.C., but decided a career in politics wasn't for her. Lisa returned to California and earned a degree in education from Fresno Pacific. She became a passionate educator with a great love for both teaching and her students.

She met the great love of her life, Steven Schnitzler, on a blind date set up by her sisterin-law, Susan Diepersloot, and Steve's sister, Marlene Jackson. Steve and Lisa were married on June 27, 1998 and after several years of marriage were blessed with two sons, Joshua Simon and Timothy Christiaan.

Even as her body weakened, her will remained strong. Lisa lived life to the fullest extent that her body would allow, and sometimes pushing herself over the limit. She was very proud to have completed a full marathon, a 1/2 marathon, and a couple triathlons - this despite suffering from debilitating symptoms from Neurofibromatosis. Lisa loved people and made connections and developed and nourished relationships throughout her life. She absolutely loved being a wife and mom, and did everything she could to make the most of each day with her husband and sons. Lisa's passion for cooking and baking was obvious to all who knew her. It gave her great joy to teach others how to cook, give away her baked goods, gather new recipes, and share it all through cookbooks she made herself. Her strong love for the Lord was evident in one of the last posts she wrote on Facebook a few days before she passed away. She loved a song based on I Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

The song's lyrics include "What if your blessings come through rain drops? What if your healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know you're near?" Lisa's comment was: "I love this song and verses. Once again I'm in the ICU at Kaweah Delta Hospital. Please pray for healing and an extra big prayer for my boys as they are super special and wonderful and I am totally missing them right now."

Throughout her life Lisa was a fountain of kindness, love, generosity, and humor. She loved her family with all her heart and soul - "to the moon and back" - and they loved her. Lisa will be greatly missed by her husband of 17 years, Steven Schnitzler; her children Joshua and Timothy; her mother Willy Diepersloot and mother-in-law Lydia Schnitzler; her brothers and sisters Janet and John Bengtson, Bob and Willemina Diepersloot, Jacque and Paul Baxley, John and Susan Diepersloot, Wimpie and Rob Van Grouw, Gary Schnitzler, Marlene and Brent Jackson; her nieces and nephews, Jessica and AJ deJaeger, Adrian and Jaclyn Diepersloot, Jordan and Jenae Diepersloot, Chris and Krissy Bengtson, Jordan and Lauren Van Grouw, Jillian Diepersloot, Aaron Bengtson, Jake and Kathryn Diepersloot, Tyler and Elisa Van Grouw, Tyler Baxley, Robby and Erica Diepersloot, Brit Baxley and Fiance, Amber Nederend, James Bengtson, Derek Van Grouw, Hudson and Lindsey Hanlon, Elliana Diepersloot, Zachary Diepersloot, Caleb Diepersloot, Cody and Willemina Brazeal, Hayes Hanlon, Erin Van Grouw, Janelle and Brody Wilgenburg, Brittany and Cody Lehman, Heidi Jackson, Kristina Jackson, Blake Schnitzler, Austin Schnitzler, and Victoria Schnitzler; and many great nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her father, Adrian Diepersloot, and father-in-law, Fred Schnitzler.

The family wishes to thank Drs. Sorensen, Coffey, and Malli for their extraordinary care and support for Lisa during her long and difficult illness. Also thanks to the KDH ICU and ICCU staff who worked incredibly hard to care for her during her final days and hours. Finally, a special thank you to Susy Rios, a honorary member of our family, for the years of loving care and support given to Lisa and her family.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at Miller Memorial Chapel. Graveside service and burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Visalia Cemetery, 1300 W. Goshen Ave, Visalia. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 AM on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Visalia Christian Reformed Church, 1030 S. Linwood St, Visalia.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Lisa's memory to Central Valley Christian Schools Endowment Fund: Central Valley Christian Schools, 5600 W. Tulare Ave. Visalia, CA 93277.

Arrangements by Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA 93291, (559) 732-8371

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