Dorothy Nadine Schneider died in the early morning of November 22, 2020 in Lakewood, Colorado. Her journey began on October 25, 1930 in Clay Township, Iowa. The daughter of Ernest and Burl Brightwell Leasure. Like many farm families she had a big family - four brothers and two sisters. Howard, Robert, Dale, and Geverna who preceded her death, and survived by younger siblings Ralph and Geri. In true Iowa farm girl fashion, she played basketball for Eldon High. She graduated from Eldon High wrapped in her basketball letter sweater and decided to join her sister Geverna in Denver.
It was in Denver that she went to work at the Gates Rubber Company. It was there that she met the love of her life Danny Frank Schneider. They were married on July 14, 1951, a union that lasted over sixty-four years until Danny’s death in 2015. They had three children Danny Schneider of Salt Lake City who passed away earlier this year, Douglas (Kathy) Schneider of Littleton, and Denise (Keith) Brendle of Littleton. She had two grandchildren, Emma and Eli Schneider of Littleton. Her grandchildren held the dearest part of her heart. She in turn was their beloved Mimi.
During her life she held many jobs to help support her family. No job was too menial or difficult as long as her family benefitted. Later in life she became a teacher’s aide in Denver Public Schools. It was a perfect fit for this farm girl full of kindness and grace. A perfect fit because she worked at elementary schools where many of the children came from disadvantaged backgrounds and needed an Angel like Mimi. She left no one behind. Any child who needed extra care was given it. For many years after retirement many of these children would come and visit her, acknowledging the positive difference she made in their lives.
Dorothy and Danny enjoyed their retirement. It was filled with friends and family. For Dorothy it included volunteering at the school, helping friends, gardening, and most importantly spending time with her grandchildren. Family and friends always came first. And Dorothy was quick to say, “thank you” and express her love both out loud and by her deeds.
She was known by many names, Dorothy, Dottie, Sis, Toni, Mom, and Mimi to name a few. In every case these names represented who she was, how she lived her life. To all of us, these names will always be filled with love. A love that was always given, with no expectation that it should be returned. She taught us unconditional love, the greatest gift of all.
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