Hansmeier & Son Inc

Robert Schnell

Robert Schnell was born November 17, 1930 in Dickinson, ND, to Ray and Clara Schnell. There were 13 siblings in his large family, two of whom died as children. Robert attended St. Patrick’s Grade School and graduated from Dickinson High School in 1948. He graduated from North Dakota State University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science. Robert served as Student Body President there from 1951 to 1952. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. His infantry training was at Camp Roberts, CA. He eventually joined the Veterinary Corps serving as a meat inspector in Stockton, CA. It was there that he met Joan Jackson. Joan was working a summer job between semesters at UCLA as a lifeguard at the Stockton public swimming pool and Robert was smitten! He spent many hours there and Robert often joked later about fighting the Korean War at the Stockton Swimming Pool.

Robert was honorably discharged from the army in 1955 and married Joan (Jackson) Schnell that same year in Stockton, CA. Robert and Joan settled on the ranch north of Lemmon, SD. Besides raising their four children there (Karen, Leigh Anne, Eric and Carter), they also raised registered and commercial Hereford cattle. In addition, together with several of his brothers and father, Robert was a partner in the Schnell Livestock Markets in Dickinson, ND, Miles City, MT and Lemmon, SD. He started his auctioneering career in 1955 at the Dickinson Market and later honed his skills at the Miles City and Lemmon locations. He began his purebred livestock auctioneering business in 1956. That business grew to include cattle sales in 23 states and Canada. Robert also was selected to be the auctioneer at national breed auctions in Denver, Calgary and Regina. The highlight of his auctioneering career was in 1968 when he was named the World Champion Auctioneer.

After Joan and Robert’s divorce in 1974, they continued ranch operations together with the help of their son, Carter. Robert added a registered Angus herd in 1979 and registered Salers cattle imported from France and Canada in 1985. After he sold his half ownership of the Lemmon ranch to Carter, he moved to Rapid City and continued raising cattle on leased land near there from 1988 to 2005. He never stopped loving the Lemmon ranch and returned most summers to spray weeds for Joan and Carter. He hated certain weeds with a passion, leafy spurge and Canada thistle to name a few.

Robert was an avid outdoorsman and hiker. During the last 15 years he spent in the Black Hills, he never missed an opportunity to explore them with his beloved companion, Phyllis Bergeron. Much of his time during his final years in Rapid City was spent reading. He had an extensive collection of books and shopping for a Christmas or birthday gift for him usually included the purchase of a new historical nonfiction book.

Worth noting are some of the offices held by Robert which include his positions as President of the American Salers Association in 1988 and President of the World Salers Federation in 1989. Robert was named to the Marketeers Hall of Fame in 1990. The ranch near Lemmon, which he was so proud of, was honored by being selected to host an American Society for Range Management annual tour. It also was the recipient of the 1969 Adams County Soil Conservation award.

Robert Daniel Schnell died on April 14, 2021 in Rapid City, South Dakota, at the age of 90. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, two brothers, one sister and a host of nieces and nephews. A burial and Celebration of Life service was held for Robert on July 12, 2021. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame (www.northdakotacowboy.com).

Robert Schnell

Only stage-four colon cancer could slow Cynthia Sheren (Stirling) Scott down in her life full of family, friends, and FEMA adventures.

After a two-year, hard-fought battle, she passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Boise, ID, surrounded by her children and the prayers of many family and friends far and wide.

Cyndi’s surviving family include her children Stacey (Shannon) Galinat of Boise, ID; Jackie (Ted) Quinn of Nolensville, TN; Shari (JoHan) Wang of Boise, ID; Justin Scott of Kadoka, SD; grandchildren Megan and Shelby Galinat, Jenna and Kellen Quinn, Keira and Lincoln Wang; mother, Nancy (Ray) Neuhauser; siblings Kathy Heezen of Miller, SD; Julie (Rod) Fieldsend of Sioux Falls, SD; Sandy (Randy) Sivertsen of Ree Heights, SD; Allen (Fran) Stirling of Belle Fourche, SD; Brett (Rhonda) Stirling of New Castle, WY; Carrie (Tom) Kelly of Odessa, TX; Kristen (Mike) Grant of Whitewood, SD; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.

Cyndi was preceded in death by her father, Richard (Dick) Stirling and infant son, Chad Weston Scott.

In lieu of flowers, Cyndi requested memorials be given to Stirling Family Memorial Ranch Rodeo or Steps for Hope. Both organizations provide financial grants to families fighting cancer. Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Cyndi’s arrangements. Visit www.familyfuneralhome.net

Hansmeier and Son Inc.

BULLS, HEIFERS AND STEERS FOR PRIVATE TREATY SALE

Registered Herefords since 1955

CONTACT LARISSA HANSMEIER 605‐216‐5556

77 Main St. S. • Bristol SD 57219

EXCELLENCE SALE HEIFER PROSPECT WATERTOWN FARM SHOW HEIFER PROSPECT WATERTOWN FARM SHOW BULL PROSPECT