Mary Helen Schnell

The Funeral Service will be live-streamed at:

https://www.ourlivingwater.org/maryschnell.html

Mary H. (Mahoney) Schnell, age 94, of Willmar, passed away Sunday evening, December 31, at her residence.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 4, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar.  Interment will be at a later date at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to honor Mary's life may be directed to a charity of your choice.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Mary Helen Mahoney was born on February 4, 1929, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, the daughter of Jeremiah and Maud (Whittet) Mahoney.  She grew up on a farm near Redwood Falls, graduated from Redwood Falls High School in 1947 and attended St. Joseph's Nursing School in Minneapolis.  On September 28, 1950, Mary was united in marriage to James B. Schnell.  They lived in numerous communities throughout Minnesota and Iowa where she worked as a Registered Nurse.  In 1967, they moved to Willmar and Mary began teaching in the nursing program at the Willmar Vo-Tech.  She was an active member of the Church of St. Mary and member of the Daughter's of Isabella.  She was a volunteer with AARP; a leader with the Willmar Parkinsons support group and was active within other community organizations.  Mary enjoyed flowers, gardening, traveling and assisting/supporting individuals in times of need.  She also cherished spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her four children, Barbara Brower of Buffalo, Joseph Schnell of Willmar, Rita (and Bill) Schuldt of Akeley and Carol (and Tom) Gustad of Fargo, ND.; eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren, besides other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James in 2010; and two brothers, John "Jack" Mahoney and William "Bill" Mahoney.