Tribute

On Thursday March 6th, 2014, Mr. Leo Albert Schneider of Osoyoos passed away at the South Okanagan General Hospital after a short battle with cancer at the age of 82 years.

He was predeceased by his parents David and Hilda Schneider of Keremeos; sisters Idella (Robert) Spoonemore and Margaret Bauer; sister-in-law Noreen Schneider and brother-in-law Michael Ferko.

Leo will be fondly remembered by his loving family including wife Ilona (nee Anderson) of 41 years; children David (Maggie) of Calgary; Leonie Lawrence (Gordon) of Campbell River; Mark (Shara Lee) of Lethbridge; step-son Wayne Gardener (Nancy) of Mount Vernon, WA; and all of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Leo’s is survived by siblings Wilmer Schneider of Keremeos; Betty Schwager (Ken) of Penticton; Gordon Schneider of Granisle; Shirley (Jim) Lea of New Westminster; Violet Ferko of West Kelowna; Jean Byer (Jim) of Cawston; Clarence Schneider (Sharon) of Cawston and Kenny Schneider (Gwen) of Grand Forks as well as Brother-in-law Gordon Bauer of West Kelowna and the many nieces and nephews.

Leo worked in various mines in the Similkameen, Merritt and Northern parts of BC for seventeen years before joining Interior Contracting in Penticton as a pipe layer and driller. He and wife Ilona then farmed for twenty years in Falkland, raising cattle and growing hay. In the latter twelve years, they built and operated a Broiler Chicken farm. After the sale of the broiler farm in 1993, Leo and Ilona retired and enjoyed travelling with his siblings and nephews to Reno and places for a little fun and relaxation. He also had time to go fishing and hunting for the elusive moose with the family “guys”. He was a great lover of nature and felt his spiritual beliefs revolved around nature.

For one term, he was the Falkland area representative for the Salmon Arm-Shuswap Regional District and a member/grower of the Interior Broiler (chickens) Association.

Curling was a hobby in which he engaged, helping his Falkland Men’s Team win a number of local trophies. Later he played in the Seniors Fun League in Penticton. Leo and Ilona recently relocated to Osoyoos, ever moving southward since retirement.

He was a quiet, sensitive, caring individual who was well loved by his family and respected by many friends.

Donations are gratefully accepted to the Canadian Cancer Society for continued research in prostate and bone cancer or to a charity of choice.

Thank you to Drs. Crofts, and Entwistle and in particular the staff at South Okanagan General Hospital for their attentive and empathetic care of Leo.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday March 29, 2014 at the Keremeos Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 2:00 P.M. at the Cawston Hall.

Condolences may be directed to Ilona. Tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com

Arrangements entrusted to Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium, Oliver & Osoyoos.