John Schnell, age 93, of Rice Lake, WI, went to his heavenly home on Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Rice Lake.

John Martin Schnell was born on January 20, 1932 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to John and Margaret (Hass) Schnell. He attended Central High School in La Crosse and UW-La Crosse. He taught high school English, Spanish and French in Dodgeville and Milltown, Wisconsin, before spending the last 32 years of his teaching career in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. He retired from teaching in 1989. John met and married his first wife, Rosalie (Krueger), in Shell Lake on December 14, 1957. Rosalie passed away in 1982 and John married Mardell (Voelker) in 1987 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.

He is survived by his 4 children Jack (Ginny), Jeffrey (Kathy), Laurel (Dan) Bowe and Joel (Sue); 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He is also survived by 4 step-children Randy (Charlotte), Brenda, Ricky (Deb) and Stacy (Dave).

John was active in community affairs in Shell Lake, serving as an alderman for eight years in the 1970’s and as president of the Shell Lake Lions Club in 1983. He was timekeeper and announcer for basketball games at Shell Lake for many years before his retirement. He moved to Rice Lake, Wisconsin, in 1987 after marrying Mardell. He was president of the Barron County Retired Educators in 1992. John was active in First Lutheran Church of Rice Lake. He was president of the church for almost 10 years. He was also a lay leader and served as lay preacher and liturgist at times.

John was very competitive in sports. He played varsity tennis in high school and college. He played for many years in tennis tournaments in the Shell Lake and Rice Lake area. He pitched horseshoes for V&M Bar in the Rice Lake league bringing home 6 first place trophies over 10 years. He was a cross country skier, fisherman, camper and hunter. He always enjoyed a good camp fire and his famous Campfire Popcorn was a family favorite. Deer hunting was his favorite field sport and he hunted in the Grantsburg area at the family camp for about sixty years.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am Friday, March 14, 2025 at First Lutheran Church in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Rev. Jon Cluppert officiating, with visitation for 1 hour before.

Fellowship will follow at the V&M Bar, Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Interment in Shell Lake Cemetery at 3:30PM Friday, March 14.

Memorials can be given to one of his favorite charities: St. Jude’s Hospital stjude.org; Alzheimer's Asso. alz.org; Rice Lake Pickleball Asso. ricelakepickleball.com or to a charity of your choice.

Last Update: Mar 04, 2025 1:28 pm CST