Peter J. Schneider, longtime Owatonna resident, died September 30, 2016. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, October 8, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father Michael Cronin presiding. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery with military honors provided by the Steele County Funeral Unit. Friends may greet the family on Friday, October 7, 2016, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Brick-Meger Funeral Home (1603 Austin Road, Owatonna) and one hour prior to Mass on Saturday. On Friday there will be a Legion of Mary prayer service beginning at 3:45 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Peter was born June 14, 1927, in Swanville, MN, the son of John and Helen (Kuklok) Schneider. He was from a family of 12 children. Peter attended high school in Swanville and graduated in 1944. After high school, Peter enlisted in the United States Navy. Peter’s railroad career began in 1946 at the age of 19 and spanned 40+ years of service. When he retired in 1986, he was the Depot Agent for the Rock Island Railroad. Peter was united in marriage to Rita Constance Sowada in 1950 in Holdingford, MN. The couple moved to Owatonna in 1956 to make their home and they raised nine children. Peter was a very active member of Sacred Heart Church, serving in many capacities, including choir for masses and funerals, rosary leader, devoted member of the Legion of Mary, Eucharistic Minister, Serra Club, and he attended weekly Eucharistic Adoration. He received the Bishop’s Medal in 2015. He was a member of the Owatonna Knights of Columbus, Msgr. Henry Speck Assembly - KCs, Knights of Columbus Chorus, and a past Knight of the Year. Peter called bingo for the Knights for more than 40 years. He also volunteered at Cedarview Nursing Home, the Steele County Free Fair, and Right to Life.
Peter is survived by his nine children John (Vicki) of Crown Point, IN; Paul (Jackie) of Rochester, MN; Francis (Ann) and Daniel, both of Champlin, MN; Ann (Jim) Packard and Peggy (Gary) Keller, both of Owatonna; Mary (Steve) Edsall of Coon Rapids, MN; Rita (Tony) Alexander of Anoka, MN; Stephen (Sharon) of St. Paul, MN; and 24 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren; brother Edward Schneider and Sister Fabian Schneider. He was preceded in death by his wife Rita, and 9 siblings.
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