Nina Gail Day Schnell

Nina Gail Day Schnell

Jan. 12, 1922 - July 2, 2012

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Nina Day Schnell died Monday (July 2, 2012), in North Platte surrounded by family.

She was born on Jan. 12, 1922, to Omar and Sarah Day in their sod farm house near Ruleton, Kansas. She attended elementary school in a one-room country school and high school in Goodland, Kansas, where she met Dennis Schnell. They were married on Aug. 20, 1939, and were married for 62 years until his death on Oct. 9, 2001.

They farmed and built and operated the Silver Leaf Motel in Culbertson, Nebraska She also worked as a secretary and later, as a phone operator for the Union Pacific Railroad. After retirement, the couple moved to a home overlooking Jeffrey Lake and the Platte Valley. After her husband died, she moved to Oak Manor.

She was a member of the Wellfleet Methodist, Church, Banner Methodist Church, and most recently Calvary Baptist in North Platte.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Marvin Day; sisters, Naomi Thompson and Burnetta Petersen and one grandson.

She is survived by four children, Larry (Marilyn) Schnell of North Platte, Linda Strohfus of Brandon, Florida, Cheryl (Bob) Wheeler of Ventura, California, and Gary Schnell of Tempe, Arizona, 11 grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and hosts of friends.

Visitation is until 8 p.m. Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 7, 2012, at 1 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 900 East 2nd, North Platte, Nebraska with the Rev. Ryan Alexander officiating. Memorials to Calvary Baptist Church or the North Platte Senior Center.

Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte is in charge of arrangements.