Funeral services for Lloyd Charles Schneider, 95, of Albert Lea will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at United Methodist Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. John Bromeland will officiate. Interment will be at Graceland Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Albert Lea veterans organizations. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bonnerup Funeral Service and one hour before the service at the church.
Lloyd died Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at St. John’s Lutheran Home, Albert Lea.
Lloyd Charles Schneider was born to Dr. Charles and Mildred (Mitchell) Schneider at Chicago, Ill., on Dec. 8, 1913. He moved with his family to Albert Lea in 1919 where they resided until Dr. Schneider was transferred to New York City in 1927. Lloyd graduated from Stuyvesant High School, New York City, in 1932. During the deep depression of the 30’s he was employed by Kline Cleaners. Lloyd enlisted in the U.S. Army on Aug. 15, 1934, and was stationed with the 128th infantry at Fort Ontario, N.Y., until his honorable discharge on Aug. 15, 1937. Lloyd then joined his mother and brother in Albert Lea. There he met and married Genevieve Richards on April 9, 1939.
While employed by Wilson & Co. he served in the Minnesota State Guard in the 3rd Infantry until he was drafted into the World War in 1943. He was in the 329th Infantry, 83rd Division, seeing action in the Normandy, France, liberation, Luxemberg and Germany. He was awarded the E.A.M.E. camgaign medal and three bronze stars. Years later Lloyd was honored by France with the Medal of Jubliee of Liberty for his part in the Normandy Invasion at a special ceremony held, July 3, 2002, at the American Legion Post 56 in Albert Lea.
After the war Lloyd began working with the U.S. Postal Service as a railway mail clerk and the couple moved to Winona in 1950 where they resided for 10 years. At the end of the era of railway post offices Lloyd transferred into the Albert Lea post office where he was a window clerk until retirement on Feb. 25, 1979, after 35 years.
Lloyd was a member of the United Methodist church, the VFW and Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, Western Star Lodge No. 26 and affiliated Bodies. Lloyd was a charter member of the Golden I Kiwanis club where he was an active member until Sept. 28, 2009, having served as the first secretary and editor of the weekly bulletin. Lloyd was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the Freeborn County Historical Society, the Senior Center, Audubon Society and the Humane Society of Freeborn County. Although Lloyd had no children of his own he held the welfare of all children deep in his heart through support to the programs of the Youth For Christ, Albert Lea. In his youth Lloyd competed in running and was a boxer for a number of years in the New York area. Reading, gardening, listening to classical music, keeping the bird feeders filled in his yard enriched his life. He volunteered with the Meals-on-the Go program for many years after retirement.
Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Albert and sister-in-law, Marie Schneider; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Grover and Jeanette Bump.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 70 years, Genevieve; nephews: Charles A. Schneider (Rayna) and their children: Dana Schneider, Megan Schneider and Paul (Michele) Baker; niece, Marian (Ronald) Knutson and their children: Lane Knutson, Allison Knutson and Eric Knutson and his children: Brett, Bryce and Julia Knutson; nephew-in-law, Robert Bump Sr., son, Randall (Jocelyn) and their daughter, Samantha. Blessed be his memory.