Patricia (Larson) Schnieder

Patricia Montross Schneider Mortenson, age 91, of Howard, passed away on Thursday, April 12, 2018, at the Good Samaritan Society, Howard, South Dakota.

A private family service is going to be at a later date.

Patricia Larson was born March 18, 1927, on a farm near Manchester, South Dakota to Nels Victor and Mary (Spencer) Larson. She was one of 13 children and grew up during the depression when everyday was a struggle to survive. Pat knew many hardships, her mother died when she was 13 years old. This left eight children still at home. The task of helping to keep the family together fell on her lap. She helped her father raise the younger children. Pat learned to bake bread, do laundry and keep house, and she did it well. On July 10, 1947, she married LaVern Montross.  They lived in Clarinda, Iowa for 37 years, until his death on May 26, 1984.  Together they had six children. 

On October 11, 1985, she married Joseph Schneider. They lived on his farm west of Howard. Joe played the accordion in a band and Patricia enjoyed attending the dances and events to listen to him play.  Joe died on July 3, 2000.

On November 2, 2007, Patricia married Doane Mortenson, also of Howard. Doane died July 6, 2013.

Throughout Patricia’s life she enjoyed sewing, quilting, ice skating, dancing, and playing cards & games with the family and friends. She was an avid bowler. Pat was league president for many years. She served on the Miner County museum board, the Senior Citizens board in Madison, and always found time to volunteer in the community. Pat loved to travel and always said she had “Gypsy Feet.” She visited 33 countries, 12 islands and traveled across 10 seas and oceans. Pat went up in a helicopter, down in a small submarine, went sky diving at age 78, and went hot air ballooning, only to crash land into the side of a house.

Those left to cherish her memory are her three sons, David (Sharon) Montross of Clarinda, IA, Gary (Shirley) Montross of Maryville, MO, and Terry (Phyllis) Montross of Clarinda, IA; two daughters, Marilyn (Dale) Becker of Polson, MT and Janet (Don) Trimmer of Howard; five grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents; her three husbands; a son Dale Eugene; seven brothers, George, John, Dale, Bernard, Cecil, Lawrence, Edward; and four sisters, Ruby, Rosellen, Eva and Rita.

Her motto has always been: “If it can be done, I can do it.”    

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patricia (Larson) Schnieder, please visit our floral store.