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Obituary - Dennis Schneider

Dennis Schneider

1947 - 2025

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel - Schneider(2025)

Dennis Schneider of Calgary, Alberta passed away on January 28, 2025, at the age of 77 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Most obituaries read like a Christmas letter from an aunt that you haven’t seen in a while, so this one will be different!

Dennis was born to Bill and Elsie Schneider on a small farm in Melville, Saskatchewan in March of 1947. The first of four children, he was predeceased by his brother, Glenn, but still has two younger sisters that drove him crazy; Lynn (Hoffman) and Connie (Bierwagen).

Dennis had chores on the farm, played with guns he shouldn't have and smoked cigarettes, getting caught by his dad. When it was time to go, he packed up his 57 Plymouth and drove it to Yorkton as soon as he turned 16. There, he got a job as an Optician which would remain his career for 60 years until the time of his illness. Dennis spent his early days in Yorkton warming up a bar stool and spending his paychecks at the Corona. This is where he met the love of his life, Susan. After 52 years of marriage he still talked about the tight angora sweater she was wearing the night they met. That must have been some sweater because they were married 3 months later. In 1972 his first daughter, Tammie was born and in 1978, his second favorite daughter, Tanya was born.

Dennis loved his years living in Yorkton where he made many coffee friends and fishing buddies. You could always find him cheering on the Yorkton Terriers or having a beer with friends at Tapps.

In the early 2000’s when his first grandchild was born, the love of his family was too great so he and Susan packed up their life and moved to Calgary to watch his grandchildren grow up and be close to his daughters.

Dennis packed as many memories into those years as he could have hoped. There were more Sunday dinners, BBQ’s, parties, happy hours and vacations that we could ever possibly count. He was there to watch Spencer, Katelyn and Mallory grow up. He was the best grandfather those three could ever have hoped for. I mean, what other grandpa gets his grandchildrens’ initials tattooed on his arm at 70 years old!?

When Dennis wasn’t sitting in his favorite chair watching game shows you could find him at the lake or up in the mountains fishing with his friend, Mark. Always hoping to catch the big one. And sometimes he actually did! Mostly though they sat and talked, solving the worlds problems one by one.

Dennis was predeceased by his father, William Schneider; his mother, Elsie Schneider (Mohr) as well as his brother, Glenn Schneider.

He leaves to mourn his wife of 53 years, Susan Schneider (Gulash); his daughter, Tammie (Onslow) and his daughter, Tanya (Pitzner); his sons-in-law, John and Paul who he loved as his own sons; grandchildren, Spencer and Katelyn Onslow and Mallory Pitzner. They will forever miss his ability to make them laugh and always have an open wallet for them! Dennis fought his cancer diagnosis with determination and outlived his prognosis by a half a year. Six extra months of laughter and love which his family appreciated and won't soon forget.

Please raise a glass and share a funny story or two about Dennis and please do us the honour of remembering him well.

As per Dennis’ wishes, a Celebration of his Life will be held at his favorite fishing spot in Calgary, when the fish are biting this May. Details to follow at a later date.




 

  1. Renice Schindel:
    Jan 31, 2025 at 11:02 AM

    So sorry for your loss!

  2. Hal Gibbens:
    Feb 01, 2025 at 07:13 PM

    My sincere condolences to family. I hadn't seen Dennis for many years, 3 of us old school chums met in Calgary for lunch 3 or 4 years ago. Had some laughs remembering some of our high school antics..RIP Dennis

  3. Linda & Dave MORGAN:
    Feb 02, 2025 at 07:25 PM

    Having recently learned of Dennis’ passing, we wish to extend our sincere condolences to Susan, Tammi and Tanya and their families at this very difficult time.
    We recall the many happy times we had being neighbours back in Yorkton on Collacott Drive in the early 1980’s. Dennis was the kind of neighbour who always lent a helping hand and he certainly did that with us many times.
    Dennis will always be remembered for being a great guy!

    “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
    Love leaves a memory no one can steal”

  4. Sharon and Harvey Litvanyi:
    Feb 05, 2025 at 09:58 AM

    Thinking of all of you Susan, Tammi, Tanya as you celebrate the life of your Dennis. Dennis was by far the best Optician we ever had and have many great memories of the years he spent in Yorkton.
    May all your happy memories give you peace and comfort during this challenging time.
    Our deepest condolences Harvey, Sharon, Greg and Trisha.

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