Rapheal Schneider

Rapheal "Ray" Schneider, 80, Steele, died Tuesday, August 15, 2006, at home after a 13-year battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, August 18, at First Presbyterian Church in Steele, ND, with Rev. Robert Schoepp officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Steele Veteran's Club. Interment will be at the ND Veteran's Cemetery in Mandan, ND, with military rites by VFW Post 1326. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Thursday, August 17, at Eastgate Memorial Chapel, Steele, where a prayer service open to all family and friends will be held at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church. Ray was born on August 5, 1926, in Oliver County, near Center, ND, to Leopold and Barbara Hoffman Schneider. He attended school in Center, and then at age 18, entered the Army serving as a Staff Sergeant in the Philippines and Japan. After his discharge, Ray attended Moler Barber College in Minneapolis and began his barbering apprenticeship in the basement of The Patterson Hotel in Bismarck in 1948. Once he received his master barber license, he started his own barber business in Center, ND, then New Salem, ND, and Sacramento, CA, before settling in Steele, ND, in April of 1961. Ray barbered in Steele at three locations and established Ray's Barber Shop at 104 Mitchell Avenue in 1971. In 1979, Ray earned his locksmith certification and expanded his business to include saw sharpening. He spent 58 years behind the "iron chair" and loved going to the barber shop every day where you could always find him playing cards or visiting with his friends. Ray married Lois Kunkel on April 5, 1955. They were married for 51 years. He is survived by his wife, Lois, his children and grandchildren: Carole Mike Ries, Candace John Ulmer, and Paul Renee Schneider, Christopher Schneider, Nicole Schneider, Kyle Schneider, Drew Ulmer, and Megan Ries. Also, Ray is survived by his sisters, Margaret Renner and Rose Mosbrucker, and brothers, George and Peter Schneider. He is preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings: Eva Himmelspach, Monica Vogel, Frances Schafer, Jack Schneider, Alex Schneider, Clementine Ericsen, Leo Schneider, and Joseph Schneider. Aside from being a business owner, he was a respected and active community citizen. He was an elder and trustee of the First Presbyterian Church, a founding member of the Steele Ambulance, a restaurant owner, a very involved member of various civic organizations, and the kindest and most giving husband, father, grandfather, and fix-it man you could ever meet.

Rapheal Schneider

August 5, 1926 - August 15, 2006