Arnold "Arnie" Schnell

Arnold “Arnie” R. Schnell, Jr. of Enderlin, formerly of Wahpeton and Hankinson, passed away on March 7, 2024. Arnie was born on May 31, 1944 in Hankinson, ND to Arnold and Mayme (Kuemper) Schnell. He grew up in rural Hankinson. His parents moved into town when he was in junior high. Arnie was active in all high school sports, excelling in football. He was named captain and MVP of the 1962 football team. He graduated in 1963.

On October 10, 1964, he married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Sander, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hankinson. They made their home in Wahpeton where children, Shelly and Bert, were born. Arnie and Sharon encouraged their children to participate in all activities of their choice and were dedicated followers of their pursuits.

Arnie was a passionate hunter, fisherman, and slow pitch softball player. He also coached and umpired slow pitch softball. In 1972, he was presented with the McIntosh Award for his dedication to slow pitch softball in the Wahp-Breck area.

In 1999, Arnie and Sharon moved to their son’s farm near Enderlin. In his retirement years, he enjoyed making wood crafts from repurposed wood, trapping, following NDSU football, and working for area farmers.

Arnie is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sharon; daughter, Shelly (Kurt Petersen); son, Bert; grandchildren, Derrik, Jessica, and Mary (Little Kid); great-grandchild Harvey and mother Breezy Sahr; former grandchild-in-law, Ryan Schwieter; sisters, Kathy (Gerald) McAllister, Gloria (Tom) Robey, Bonnie (Allen) Prochnow, Barbara (Dale) Hartleben, Reyne Hauck, Sandy (Don) Hetjmanek, Gail Nelson, Sherry (Martin) Helmer; sisters-in-law Marlene (Ron) Schmit, Shirley Sander, and many nieces and nephews.

Arnie was preceded in death by his parents Arnold and Mayme; maternal and paternal grandparents; brother, Roger; brothers-in-law Dean Hauck, Rocky Krause, and Ronald Sander; mother and father-in-law, Mary and Henry Sander; niece Krista Detloff, and many aunts and uncles.