Karen Lee (Parsons) Schneider
Karen Lee (Parsons) Schneider was called home to be with her Lord Jesus Christ and was welcomed into heaven by her infant son Daniel on Saturday, December 13th.
Karen was born on Wednesday, October 28th, 1942 the youngest of nine to the late Oliver and Gertrude (Grossl) Parsons. She grew up on a small farm just south of Stockbridge. In the Spring of 1960, Karen graduated from Stockbridge High School with her life-long friend Judy (Bunnell) Karls. On May 6th, 1961, she married a truck driver from Jericho, Jerry Schneider. That date marked an unquenchable love that lasted over 64 years.
In July of 1973, with strong faith in God, each other and the help of wonderful family and friends, they started their journey in the family business known and remembered as “Schneider’s Kloten Oasis”. There she hosted countless weddings, anniversaries, Friday Fishfrys, dinners of all occasions creating and serving food that people would return for time and time again. Her work was tireless all the while, lovingly raising three kids and enthusiastically supporting the work of her popular band leader and radio host husband, Jerry.
Later, Karen joined Jerry on his radio show organizing the show’s sponsors, keeping weekly notes on what needed to be done, but most notably, answering the many phone calls for requests and dedications helping people celebrate their special occasions with listeners of the show, including on KFIZ.
Karen enjoyed several trips with Jerry to Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Ireland, Alaska and Hawaii. She mostly loved the Germany trips where they made life long friends, contacting them often, especially at Christmas.
Karen gained much joy in life by spending time with family and close friends enjoying great food, a few good drinks and lots of stories and laughs. Most of all though, Karen was a prayerful woman asking for God’s help in the daily activities of her family and friends.
Karen will be greatly missed by her family, especially her husband, Jerry; children: Tom (Sherri) Schneider, Jeff (Stephanie) Schneider, and Lynn (Scot) Bruckner; grandchildren: Matt (Haley) Schneider, Karlyn (Chad) Schneider-Meyer, Olivia Schneider and special friend Zach Coates, Rachel (Andrew) Stine, Erik Schneider, Jered (Renee) Bruckner, and Dylan Bruckner; Great-Grandchildren: Maggie, Oliver, Isiah, Gianna, Scottie, and Hallie; sister, Rita (Marvin) Nennig; brothers and sisters in law: Mike (Mary Lou) Schneider, Betty (Al) Depies, Chuck (Ellen) Schneider, Paul Schneider and friend Adella Anhalt, Kathy Klaeser, Steve (Kathy) Schneider, Judy (Ken) Karls, Mary (Lyle) Sattler, Rita Burns, and Rosalie Parsons; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Karen was preceded in death by her infant son, Daniel; her parents, Oliver and Gertrude, her mother and father in law, Roman & Eileen (Schommer) Schneider; siblings: Lillian (Elwin) Tasch, Evelyne (John) Schleich, Bill Parsons, Bob (Rosemary) Parsons, Dick Parsons, Jim (Janice) Parsons, and Bernice “Bunny” (Jim ) Gerharz.
Funeral services will be on Friday, December 19, 2025 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Stockbridge with Rev. Michael Betley officiating. A time of visitation will be held at Wieting Family Funeral Home from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, December 18, 2025 and again at the church on Friday, December 19, 2025 from 9:00 AM until 10:45.