Viola “Vi” Schnaidt, 98, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 23, 2024, at Schriver’s Memorial Chapel, Aberdeen, with Pastor Chad Schopp officiating.

Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery following the service.

Visitation will be one hour before the service.

The family requests casual attire.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be recorded and posted on Schriver’s website following the service.

Viola “Vi” Sulzle was born on August 7, 1926, to Gotthold and Maggie (Schilling) Sulzlie in Akaska, SD. She grew up on a farm nine miles west of Akaska and attended school through the eighth grade.

Vi married Robert Schnaidt on July 22, 1945, at Zion Lutheran Church in Akaska. To this union, four beautiful children were born: Ronald, Darrell, Kurt, and Angie. They made their first home in Lead, SD, later returning to Akaska where Vi worked as a homemaker and farmer’s wife. In 1948, they moved to Aberdeen, SD, where she resided until the time of her death.

Vi worked at the Teske Motel, Woolworths, Campus Variety, and Mother Joseph Manor as a cook for 30 years and later with the Aberdeen Public School System, officially retiring at the age of 83.

Vi took great pride in her flower garden, baking, and crocheting. She made many sleeping mats (made from plastic shopping bags) for the less fortunate overseas through Our Saviors Lutheran Church. She also made many special afghans for her children and grandchildren. Vi was a talented and wonderful cook who always enjoyed making a German meal for family and friends when they arrived at her dinner table!

Vi was also a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxillary VFW Post 8530 in Gettysburg, SD. In 1967, she became a Gold Star Mother due to the death of her son A1C Ronald “Ron” Schnaidt, USAF, who was killed while on active duty while serving at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in South Vietnam in 1967.

Vi is survived by her children: Darrell Schnaidt, Kurt (Darlene) Schnaidt and Angie (Revi) Schaible all of Aberdeen, SD; grandchildren: Nicole “Nicki” (Brad) Southwick of Sioux Falls, SD, Stephanie (Marc) Ford of Mellette, SD, Heather Schnaidt of Fort Walton Beach, FL, and Lezlie (Jared) Vilhauer of Brandon, SD; great-grandchildren: Emma, Grady, Maggie of Sioux Falls, SD, Ashton of Fort Walton Beach, FL, Isabella and Jack of Brandon, SD; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; siblings Loraine Schilling and Alma Schilling; son, Ronald; daughter-in-law Midge Schnaidt; and grandson Jeffrey Schnaidt.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff of Davis Court, Mother Joseph Manor, and Avera St. Luke’s Hospital for their excellent comfort and care of our mother.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Gold Star Family Memorial, 1020 6th Ave SE, Ste 2, PMB 175, Aberdeen, SD, 57401.