Alex W. Schneider

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Callaway Hospital District Foundation or to American Legion Bryson-Booker Post 59 at Callaway. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Services will be Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. at the Berryman Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Kathy Gundell officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, NE. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad.

Alex W. Schneider of Callaway died Saturday, November 26, 2022 at the Callaway District Hospital in Callaway, Nebraska at the age of 89. Alex was born July 15, 1933 to Alex Schneider, Jr. and Katherine (Harmony) Schneider at his paternal grandparents’ home in Cozad. Alex was the oldest of four sons. He attended school in Cozad and was a standout football player, earning all Southwest Conference and Class B all state honorable mention recognition his senior year. Alex graduated from Cozad High School in 1951. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and saw action in the Korean War. In Korea, Alex served as a wire chief for a tactical squadron of a Marine air wing. His job was to maintain 14 miles of telephone wire from the main control center to a radar position in the hills. Staff Sergeant Schneider and his crew came under fire as they patrolled and repaired the telephone lines. Alex was awarded the Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean PUC (Presidential Unit Citation) and a Good Conduct Medal. Alex was honored by Governor Ricketts in 2018 with the Republic of Korea Peace Medal in gratitude for his service during the war.

Following his return from Korea in December of 1953, he worked in Lincoln for the telephone company. He returned to Cozad to work for the Dawson County Farm Service Agency as a surveyor. He met his wife, Marjorie Smith, who was teaching at an elementary school in Cozad. They were married August 11, 1956 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Callaway and made their home west of Callaway on the farm where Marjorie was raised. Alex farmed and ranched from 1956 to 1985 and worked for the Custer County Farm Service Agency as a surveyor. Alex also sold seed for Northrup King. In 1985 Alex retired from farming and ranching to work for Dornberger Berry & Co and Hartford Insurance Agency as a crop insurance claims adjuster until he retired in 1993.

Alex served his community of Callaway with heart and grit. Alex was the Chairman of the Callaway District Hospital Board for 27 years. Following Dr. Chaloupka’s retirement in 1972, the Callaway Hospital closed. Alex and other devoted community members worked to recruit Dr. Ron Sheppard to come to Callaway. Thanks to their determination, the Callaway community passed a bond and built a new hospital which opened in 1974. It wasn’t easy as Alex and other community members sought assistance from Nebraska Governor Jim Exon who thankfully overturned the Nebraska State Health Agency’s decision to deny their new hospital application, because they believed such a small town couldn’t support a hospital. Alex remained committed to quality health care in Callaway and retained his leadership role on the Callaway District Hospital Board until 2000. Alex said that there was nowhere else he would rather spend his final days than at the Callaway Hospital with their outstanding staff and quality care. In addition to his service on the hospital board, Alex was also the president of the Callaway Chamber of Commerce from 1974-75.

Alex loved to hunt and fish. He particularly enjoyed fishing and socializing with Marjorie and their friends at Van’s Lakeview at Lake McConaughy until 2019. Alex and Marjorie enjoyed traveling across the United States as well as to Mexico, El Salvador, Rome and Germany. Alex enjoyed reading as well as watching old westerns on TV, especially movies with John Wayne. Alex also enjoyed watching Husker volleyball and football. Alex and Marjorie attended many polka dances and in their later years liked to watch the Mollie B Polka Party on TV. Alex liked playing cards and computer games. Most of all, Alex enjoyed attending his children’s and his grandchildren’s activities. He loved his wife dearly and his family was his pride and joy.

Alex was a permanent Nebraska member of the American Legion Bryson-Booker Post 59 serving as the Post 59, Custer County and District 6 Commander. Alex was also a lifetime member of the Broken Bow Elks Club, VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), and DAV (Disabled American Veterans). 

In 1986 Alex and Marjorie received the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award from Knights of AK-SAR-BEN honoring the Edward Smith Homestead, whose family owned the same farm for 100 years thus contributing a century of loyal service to the development of Nebraska agriculture.

Survivors include his wife, Marjorie; son, Alex James (Jackie) Schneider of Lincoln: daughters Sheri (Jack) Chittenden of Paxton and Connie Holz of Ogallala; brothers, Milan (Sandy) Schneider of Gibbon and Tim Schneider of Epping, NH; grandchildren Jon (Kelsey) Chittenden of Yutan, Leanne (Jeremy) Orlowski of Lincoln, Jessica (Matt) Deaver of Grant and Alex (Addison) Schneider of Lincoln; seven great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Alex was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jerry, and his son-in-law Denton Holz.