Ralphine Schnebly Obituary

Ralphine Sheraldine Schnebly died on Feb. 17, 2025 while receiving care at Neuvant House of Lawrence.

Ralphine was born on March 20, 1946, to Ralph and Eleanor (Beitler) Shepherd in Dodge City, Kansas. After Ralphine's parents divorced, she moved to Kemah, Texas with her mom and younger sister, Roxanna. After graduating from Kemah High School, she worked as a secretary on the Apollo space missions where she met her husband of 53 years, Dexter Schnebly. They eloped on Halloween of 1970 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ralphine's oldest daughter, Sheraldine, was born in Texas. Soon after the couple married, Ralphine became a full-time mom. The young family moved to Southern California where Kristine and David joined the family. The family then moved back to Texas, then Kansas, onto Pennsylvania and finally back to Andover, Kansas. Ralphine wasn't always excited about the moves, but was devoted to her husband's career advancements and would soon find herself immersed in the building and decorating of another house while getting involved in the community and children's schools. Once her children became school age, Ralphine attended class's part time at Wichita State University as a non-traditional student earning her college degree. That is something she said she never dreamed was possible as a young girl. After her kids were old enough to take care of themselves, she went back to work outside of the home and worked for Boeing in Philadelphia. She had a career with Boeing that she enjoyed almost as much as raising her children.

Ralphine was a phenomenal cook; her house was always spotless and Dexter's dress shirts always ironed - skills she learned as a young girl while her single mom was working full-time jobs. She was an amazing seamstress who sewed her daughters' Christmas dresses and her kids' Halloween costumes. Later in life she became an accomplished quilter and made meaningful quilts for her family. She was a Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, home-room mom and volunteer of many other organizations. She loved to entertain and host small gatherings. She also loved to work in her butterfly garden and plan and decorate the many houses she and Dexter had built. Ralphine loved different cultures and meeting people, and as a result, the couple travelled extensively in retirement both in the U.S. and abroad. Mostly, she loved her kids and grandkids.

Ralphine was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Dexter.

She is survived by her children, Sheraldine (James) Schnebly Nash, Kristine (Chad) Lawhorn and son David (Mary Goedeke), grandchildren: Christine Schnebly, Mellissa Nash, Colby Lawhorn, Olivia Lawhorn, Elliot Goedeke Schnebly and Miranda Schnebly Goedeke and three great grandchildren: Kaylie and Jayden Bakstad and Serenity Schnebly. She is also survived by her sister, Roxanna (Doug) Phillips.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Lawrence Humane Society and sent to Warren-McElwain Mortuary. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 am. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence.