Rita Schneider

Rita Schneider, 92, of Beattie, KS, died Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at her home. Visitation was Sunday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home in Axtell. A rosary service was held at 7 p.m., Sunday, at St. Malachy's Catholic Church, Beattie. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m., Monday, March 23 at St. Malachy's. Father Jim Shaughnessy officiated. Jane Sedlacek was the organist and the cantor was Kelsey Goodwin. Music included “Hosea”, “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman”, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”, “Ave Maria”, “Go In Peace” and “How Great Thou Art”. The pallbearers were J.R. Porter, Jim Zidek, Robert Zidek, Devlin Brown, Joe Schneider and Phillip Buessing. The honorary pallbearers were John Schmidt, Carl Kopp and Lawrence Kopp. Burial was in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Beattie. Rita was born on March 11, 1923 at Axtell to Alexander and Lillie May (Haynes) McDonnell. She graduated from Baileyville High School. After graduation, Rita went to NYA School in Marysville. On November 6, 1943, she was united in marriage to Rex J. Schneider in Axtell. Shortly after their marriage, Rex left to serve overseas in World War II and Rita worked as a secretary to General Hess in the transportation office at Ft.Riley. Upon Rex’s return from the war in 1945, they settled on a farm north of Beattie. Rita worked as a star route mail carrier, had a cake business known as Rita’s Cakes, and she also worked at the Beattie school. She enjoyed gardening, raising flowers, sewing and cooking. Member of St. Malachy's Ladies Guild. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Rex in 1974; sisters, Dorothy Haug and Nola Mathewson; brothers, Keith McDonnell and Kenneth McDonnell, son-in-laws, Ralph Schmidt Jr. and Richard Zidek. Survivors include her children Patricia Schmidt, Lawrence, Robert (Carlene) Schneider, Beattie, Marge Zidek and fiancé Rick Provost, Blue Rapids, Michael (Peggy) Schneider, Summerfield, Peggy (Barry) Buessing, Axtell, Charles (Theresa) Schneider, Summerfield; and fifteen grandchildren and twenty-nine great-grandchildren. A memorial fund is established in her name and the family will designate at a later time. Contributions may be sent in care of Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home, Axtell. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rita Schneider, please visit our flower store.