Luana M. Schneider

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Luana M. Schneider on December 19, 2024 after 79 years of life well lived. Luana was born May 7, 1945 to Wilfred and Verena Grosse and was the oldest of 8 children. 

Luana graduated from Sun Prairie High School in 1963 and went on to MATC to earn her Associate Degree in Accounting. She married her high school sweetheart Rod Schneider on September 18, 1965 at Sacred Hearts Church in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

Luana worked for the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds for 30 years and retired in 2003. She was an active volunteer in a wide variety of organizations that were important to her and her family. There are far too many to list but there are few that stand out. She was the March of Dimes Rally Master for 35 years raising over $1 million towards the prevention of birth defects. Her involvement in this organization was motivated by how birth defects and premature births had impacted family and loved ones. She was active in the State Trails Council for years to protect access of public lands for recreational use and was appointed as a voting member in 2011 by Governor Scott Walker. She volunteered to be the editor of a National off-road newsletter for several years and held many positions within 4 wheel drive organizations at the local, state, and national level. 

Luana enjoyed spending time with family including attending sporting events for her grandkids and holding family picnics. As a great organizer she took pleasure in coordinating a variety of celebrations and events for friends and family. In her free time she enjoyed gardening, traveling with Rod around the world and the US. Much of their travel was done together in their motor home with the jeep in tow, and often with extended family and friends.

Luana is survived by her husband Rod of 59 years; 3 children, Brenda Lothe (Craig), Mary Andrae (Steve), Tom (Mel); 7 grandchildren, Michael, Eric, Codie-Jo, Natasha, Zach, Megan, Holly; and 4 great-grandchildren Owen, Alex, Rhett, Kiara.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 4th, 2025 between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM at the Comfort Inn & Suites North Star Conference Center at 5025 County Rd V, DeForest, WI. Casual attire is what Luana would want, so please honor her by wearing bright colors as this is a Celebration of her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Luana’s name may be made to a charity of your choice. 

If you would like, you may share your memories by posting in her Guestbook. 

Cress Funeral Services

1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie

(608) 837-9054