Marilyn Y. Schnaidt, 91 of New Rockford, ND, formerly of Devils Lake ND passed away on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.
Visitation will be on Saturday, Nov. 22 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Lori Pankratz officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery with a time of fellowship to follow in the church dining hall.
Marilyn Yvonne, daughter of George and Irene (Tschakofske) Bentz, was born on Nov. 21, 1933, in Hazen, ND, where she was raised and educated. She graduated from Golden Valley High School in North Dakota. She received a Two-Year Teaching Certificate from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. She taught elementary school while living in Saskatchewan, Canada. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education at Moorhead State University in 1977.
Marilyn was united in marriage to her beloved Reuben Schnaidt on June 24, 1955, in Beulah, ND. They lived for a time in various cities in South Dakota, wherever Reuben was called to serve as a pastor. They moved to Devils Lake in 1988, where they lived and worked. Marilyn was a dedicated elementary school teacher for 35 years, retiring in 1993.
Marilyn was always active in the church and in the communities where they lived. She served on church boards, participated in women’s civic groups, and was a Cub Scout Leader. She and Reuben were Certified Couples Communication Course Instructors for several years. While living in Devils Lake, she was an active member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, the St. Olaf Quilters, the church choir, and also served as a Sunday School teacher.
Marilyn enjoyed gardening, bird-watching, and camping, and always made the best of winter by sledding with her kids and grandkids. She was a talented seamstress, cook, and baker.
Marilyn was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, and faithful child of God. Her deep love for God, animals, nature, and teaching shaped the lives of her family. Always strong in her faith, she guided her family with grace and love. She had a generous heart, always thinking of those in need and giving freely to causes she believed in, especially world hunger programs through her church.
Marilyn’s gentle spirit and genuine kindness left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She found great joy in time spent with her husband and family. She lived her values every day and set a beautiful example of what it means to be a faithful servant of God.
She will be dearly missed by everyone who was blessed to know and love her.
She is survived by her loving family: her husband, Reuben , of over 70 years; four children and nine grandchildren—Jon (Chari) Schnaidt and their son Christopher; David (Ranae) Schnaidt and their children Matthew, Stephanie, and Emily; Peter (Robin) Schnaidt and their children Andrew and Timothy; and Mary Schnaidt and her children Marissa, Marcello, and Mataya; eighteen great-grandchildren; sisters Sharon (Bentz) Pantely and Ardith (Bentz) Waesche; and several nieces, nephews, and their families.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Myrin Bentz; her dear childhood friend; parents-in-law, Rudolph and Anna Schnaidt; and brothers-in-law, Marvin Schnaidt and Delmer Schnaidt.
“And so we know and rest on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” —1 John 4:16
