PIEDMONT - Herman Joseph Schneider, 88, passed peacefully on March 6, 2018 at Hogan House in Piedmont, SD.

Herman was born on October 7, 1929 in Warren County, Iowa to Victor and Myrtle (Spaulding) Schneider.  He spent his first 21 years in Iowa on the farm.

He was assigned to Ellsworth AFB in 1950 and was in the Air Force for 4 years.
He was a route salesman for Fairmont, Brown Swiss and Gillette dairies for 35+ years.

He worked for the RC Parks Department for several years.

He was a member of the Cathedral Parish.  He was a choir member, song leader and lector.  He helped with many stewardship drives and Fall Festival Committees.

He joined the Knights of Columbus in 1963.  He held most all council offices and was chairman of the Mardi Gras during his year as Deputy Grand Knight.  He was Grand Knight in the 1972-1973 council year.

He and Phyllis attended many state and national Knights of Columbus conventions.

Herman served on the St. Martin's school board.  He was a member of the Jaycees chapter.  He was a regular blood donor and a member of the 3-gallon club through the Black Hills Blood Services.  He helped set up many of the blood drives. He also enjoyed bowling.

Herman's special interests were wood working in his shop creating bird houses, trees, sleighs, banks.  He loved his time spent at the cabin in dark canyon, his "little piece of heaven".

He is survived by 1 son:  Daniel Schneider of Rapid City, 3 daughters:  Kathy (Bernie) Finch of Pepin, Wi, Kris Schneider of Denver, CO, and Patricia (Matthew) Smith of Haymarket, VA; 4 grandchildren:  Natalie and Merci Schneider of Denver, CO, Carly (Kevin) Foltz of Manassas, VA, and Taylor Smith of Haymarket, VA.  1 Sister:  Rosie (Bill) Babcock of Indianola, IA.

He was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis of 60 years, his parents, 2 sisters:  Catherine, and Evelyn; 4 brothers:  Edward, Ervin, Charles and Raymond.

Special recognition to Mary and Gordon Schnortz of Hogan House in Piedmont, his foster family since July of 2012.

Visitation will be held at Osheim and Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City Thursday, March 8 from 5-7 pm. A wake will follow.

Christian Funeral Mass will be offered at 10:00 am Friday, March 9 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, followed by a luncheon in the basement of the church.

Interment will be at 1:30 pm at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with military honors provided by Rushmore VFW Post #1273 and Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests donations to Hogan House of Piedmont.