Gerald L. Schnase, age 67, of Torrington, WY, died early Tuesday morning, October 8, 2024. He was in the presence of his loving family after courageously fighting a diagnosis of Glioblastoma Cancer in April of this year.
Gerald was born on March 21, 1957 in Loup City, NE, a son of Grant and Margie (Holland) Schnase. Gerald grew up in Ansley, NE and graduated from Ansley High School in 1975. After high school, Gerald worked several jobs and in 1978 he started his career with Burlington Northern Railroad. Throughout his nearly 40+year career with BNSF he held many different positions and retired in 2017 as a Track Inspector.
Gerald was married to Ladonna “Sue” McCoid in 1990 and received a beautiful bonus daughter Amber and, a few years later they were blessed with a son, Sean. Gerald enjoyed working on motorcycles, of course only a Harley Davidson. He would say, “if it isn’t a Harley, it isn’t worth riding”. He rode with friends up to Sturgis for the rally several times over the years, and every year he would ride his Harley to Ansley for the family picnic. Like his father, Gerald was a very animated storyteller and jokester, always leaving you with a smile. He also had a knack for technical problem solving, whether it being installing that new 8-track player and speakers into an old pickup, rebuilding a Harley, or remodeling a kitchen and bathroom. He was the go-to-guy when the kids couldn’t figure out how to make something work. The greatest joy that he found was being with Sue, his kids, and especially his grand and great-grandchildren. He was a member of the Torrington Moose Lodge #664, A.B.A.T.E., HOG Chapter and BMWE.
Gerald is survived by his mother, Margy Schnase of Ansley, his wife, Sue, of Torrington; children, Amber (Mike) Emerson and Sean (Alaria) Schnase both of Torrington; grandkids, Taylor, Brayden and Iva; great-grandsons, Kaiser and Brixton.; his siblings, Merna (Carl, Sr.) Snell of Ovid, CO, Kathy (Gilbert Mendoza) Schnase of Minatare, NE, Rose Samples of Ansley, NE, Grant “Gene” Schnase of Broken Bow, NE, Helen (Mark) Linder of Stevens Point, WI, Julie (Brad) Wells of Palmer, NE, Billy (Theresa) Schnase of Grand Island NE, Eldon Schnase of Broken Bow, NE, Lori (Randy) Ruebin of Hays Center, NE; along with numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Grant; parent In-laws, Kenneth and Hazel McCoid; sister, Linda (Tom) Barta; nephew, Jason Samples; and great nephew Cinch Barta.
A Celebration of Gerald’s Life will be held at the Moose Lodge, 1940 West A Street, Torrington, WY 82240 on Saturday, November 9, 2024. Family and friends are invited to a gathering, beginning at 2:00pm with a time of sharing and ceremony at 4:00pm.
Private family burial will be at a later date.
