Obituary for Beverly Ann Schuknecht

Beverly (Bev) Ann Schuknecht, 86, of Greene, passed away peacefully on her 86th birthday, Sunday, January 7, 2024, at MercyOne Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa surrounded by many of her beloved family members. 

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 324 E. Traer Street.  A Celebration of Life will follow at 11:30 a.m. Memorials in lieu of flowers in Bev’s name may be directed to the Greene Aquatic

Bev (Cross) Schuknecht was born on January 7, 1938, in Charles City, Iowa to parents Marvin and Phyllis (Farrell) Cross. She graduated from Charles City High School in 1956. Before graduation she worked for the local telephone company as an operator. This was when the operators plugged in the wires to connect the calls.

She started working at Salsbury Laboratories in Charles City in 1956.  They changed names several times going to Salsbury Chemicals, Solvey Animal Health, and Fort Dodge Animal Health.  The company has changed names since but is currently known as Zoetis.  Bev worked there for over 40 years until she retired in 1996.

On April 21, 1957, Bev married the love of her life, Ronald D. Schuknecht, at First Methodist Church in Charles City. They made their home in Greene.  They lived in 3 different homes until building their current home in 1968. 

Bev thoroughly enjoyed her role as wife, sister, aunt, and friend.  She was an active member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, The American Legion, Round Grove Golf and Country Club, the Historical Society, Bridge Club, and was very active with the swimming pool in Greene, believing that our youth needed the pool as a safe and enjoyable place to spend their time.  She was involved in the beginning, during the building of the pool and again in the restoration and fund drive, making it the Greene Aquatic Center.  Bev was also a Girl Scout Leader with Mary Schroeder.  She attended City Council meetings regularly to stay current with the town’s happenings and she was very supportive of the school as well.  She may have enjoyed going to casinos occasionally too.

Bev loved being with her family, especially all the babies as they came along. Every time a baby was born her smile grew bigger and bigger.  Bev was adored by all her nephews and nieces.  She cherished the time she was able to spend with her sisters, Norma, and Cleo.  The three of them were very close.  

Bev and Ron enjoyed golfing, traveling, boating, dancing, and family get-togethers.  They traveled whenever they could to attend family reunions around the US.  Two of their most memorable vacations were to Hawaii and the East Coast to see the fall foliage.

Bev is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Ron Schuknecht of Greene, her sister Norma Sorensen of Surprise, Arizona; two sisters-in law, Carol Nunez of Palm Desert, California and Joan Schuknecht of Rudd, Iowa.  20 nephews and nieces; Bruce (Donna) Cross, Brenda Carrasco, Brad (Shannon) Cross, Lori (James) Stolee, Jimmer (Panida) Sorensen, David Sorensen, Dan (Donna) Leaman, Ray Shera, Bill (Kim) Snitker, Ron (Doug Alexander) Snitker, Bob Wills, Steve (Barb) Schroeder, Marilyn (Phil) Wahlgren, Pamela Stein, Jeff (Sharon) Schuknecht,  Jennifer (Chad) Guzman, Greg (Sandra) Schuknecht, Jeff (Melissa) Green, Kellie (Troy) Schuknecht-Losee and Brian (Cassie Kiefer Gisi) Schuknecht.  

40 great nephews and nieces; Amanda (Marc) Ueltshi, Kayce’ Carrasco, Rheanna (Mike) Nutter, Wade (Michelle) Cross, Tyler (Jocelyn) Cross, Jeremy (Amanda) Stolee, Jessica (Justin) Filbert, Katie Sorensen, Emma Sorensen, Joe (Kristine) Shera, Melissa (Damion Holmes) Shera, Carissa (Jeff) Jones, Tiffany (Matt) Moore, Miranda (Andrew) Iwen, Jared Rye, Breanna (Josh) DeWitt, Stephen (Kassie) Rye, Callie (Mike) Schiffer, Abbey (Jared Heitz) Snitker, Shane (Staci) Schroeder, Shawna (Terry) Zwart, Joel Schroeder, Anthony (Kim) Wahlgren, Austin (Brooke Paulus) Wahlgren, Autumn (Zach) Taylor, Madison Thieman, Mackenzie (Keenan Feldpausch) Thieman, Morgan (Max Rooney) Thieman, Paulina (Ryan) Hefferan, Brandon Stein, Steven Schuknecht, David Schuknecht, John Schuknecht, Valentina Guzman, Freida Schuknecht, Becker Schuknecht, Tanner Schuknecht, McKenna Schuknecht, Kolton Schuknecht, Kaden Schuknecht, Kinsley Schuknecht, and Kennidi Schuknecht.  

41 great-great nephews and nieces; Ashley (Forest) Jackson, Kyle Ueltshi, Makayla Storey, Connor Cross, Finley Cross, Emersyn Cross, Trew Cross, Saffron Stolee, Vienna Filbert, Ellenor Filbert, James Sorensen, Breanna (Lucas) Sorensen, Lucas Swanson, Hannah Shera, Charlie Shera, Natalie Shera, Tyler Shera, Jaxson Shera, Jorryn Shera, Jessalyn Shera, Samantha Jones, Hailey Jones, Tyler Moore, Tracy Moore, Addison Iwen, Hudson DeWitt, Everlee DeWitt, Ryan Rye, Randy Rye, Nolan Schiffer, Kenna Schiffer, Luke Schroeder, Chloe Schroeder, Jordan (Chad) Ellertson, Tamala (Justin) Endriss, Ellie Schroeder, Nick (Josi Andera) Miller, Mahayla Marzen, Braxton Taylor, Carsten Taylor, Rhenner Hefferan, and Zephyr Heffernan.

3 great-great-great nieces; Hayden Jackson, Leila Ellertson, and Ariella Endriss and 1 great-great-great nephew; Henry Jackson.

Bev was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Phyllis Cross; a brother Cecil Cross; a sister Cleo Snitker; brothers-in law Jim Sorensen, Carroll Schroeder, Roger Schuknecht, Larry Schuknecht; sisters-in-law Joanne Cross and Lavone Schroeder; and nieces Paige Sorensen, Doreen Leaman, Cindy Shera, and Belinda Wills and a great-great niece Kennedy Cross.