Maureen SCHNEIDER Obituary

April 2, 1936 - March 23, 2025

Spokane Valley - Maureen Ann Schneider was born on April 2, 1936, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Mansir Darius McIntyre and Elisabeth Magdalena (Streich) McIntyre. Raised in a family that owned small neighborhood grocery stores, so Maureen grew up greeting customers and forging strong community connections-experiences that shaped her lifelong warmth and hospitality.

She and her sister, Ardis, shared a vibrant childhood in St. Paul, of which she often recalled roller skating and ice-skating adventures. Maureen, her sister, and her brother-in-law, brought joy to many by performing music for retirees in nursing homes and acting in local plays. Maureen also taught Sunday School intermittently throughout her life, exemplifying her deep and steady faith.

A graduate of Harding High School, Class of 1954, Maureen attended college briefly before embarking on a career as a legal secretary in downtown St. Paul. In 1962, she married Clifford Schneider at Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church. The following year, they moved to Spokane, Washington, where Clifford accepted a new job and together, they began a life rooted in love, faith, and family.

Maureen dedicated herself to raising their three daughters and later returned to the workforce, holding roles with the Spokane Chamber of Commerce, Washington Water Power, Avista, and other local businesses. She and Clifford were longtime members of Millwood Presbyterian Church, where Maureen led youth groups, taught Sunday School, prepared meals for large gatherings, sang in the choir, and helped lead numerous church organizations. She also served as a devoted Camp Fire leader within the community.

Maureen and Clifford shared a love of travel, attending nearly every Schneider family reunion and exploring most of the United States-Alaska and DC included-by car. Whether traveling with her husband, her parents, cherished friends, or her children and grandchildren, she created countless memories and cultivated deep family bonds.

Her devotion to her Savior, her family, and her community left a lasting imprint. She taught us, prayed with us, sang for us, and wrote poetically to us-shining God's love through every season of our lives.

Maureen is survived by her beloved sister, Ardis Ivory (McIntyre); sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Phyllis and LeRoy Nielsen, Tesse Schneider, and Virginia Schneider; her three daughters, Roann Mietzner (Joel), Lanette Pratt (Kenneth), and Nona Ellsworth (Chuck); and her grandchildren: Bryce, Amber, and Tristin Ellsworth; Susanne and Joanne Mietzner; and Crystal and Angela Pratt. She is also lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her baby brother; and sisters-in-law, Hilda, Vera, Loretta, Maxine, Dorene, and Mae; brothers-in-law, Irvin, Hugo, Stanley, Robert Schneider, Grady Edwards, Duanne Wahl, David Hettesheimer, John Silvey, and John Ivory; and two nieces.

As Maureen herself once wrote:

"God loves us. He wants us to know that His love will always be there. He tells us that we, too, must love everyone and spread His love everywhere." - Maureen Schneider

A time of remembrance will be held at Hazen and Jaeger on April 8, from 3-7 p.m. A celebration of Maureen's life and service to Christ will take place at Millwood Presbyterian Church in May TBD.