Ethel Annette Schneider (86) died peacefully in her home on Sunday, February 11, 2024. “Annette” was born on August 2, 1937, and raised in Solon Springs, Wisconsin, as the third of four daughters born to Victor and Ethel (Gagnon) Patterson. She graduated from Cathedral School in Superior, Wisconsin, in 1955 and was always proud of her Catholic upbringing, lifelong faith, and Chippewa heritage.
While in nursing school at Cook County Hospital in Chicago she met and married Dr. Mark Sajjadi. Together they had a daughter, Susan, and Annette left nursing school. After their divorce she moved back to Wisconsin where she later met and married Robert “Robbie” Schneider. Together they owned and operated The New Glarus Hotel Restaurant in the Swiss community of New Glarus, Wisconsin. Annette was a friendly, gracious hostess handling dozens of busloads of tourists at their restaurant all summer long through much of the 60s and 70s, and managing the Gift Shop. The couple was very active in their community. There, she raised their four additional children, Romy, Robert, Richard and Randy and selflessly shuttled them all to all their drum corps and sporting events and other activities. They eventually sold the Hotel and moved to Nederland, Colorado, in 1982. As the children grew, it meant a lot to her that she finished her degree. She worked as a phlebotomist while attaining her associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technologist from Arapahoe Community College and then worked many years at Kaiser Permanente brightening the lives of all those she met. She spent many of her retirement years in Tucson, Arizona, where she volunteered at St. Mary’s Hospital Gift Shop, before they moved back to Colorado in 2016 to be near family.
In her younger years, Annette loved to bowl, dance and was the family photographer. Her collection of snapshots is impressive! She enjoyed polkas, Neil Diamond music, football, hockey, hummingbirds, jigsaw puzzles, and cooking and baking for family and friends.
In later years she was active in the Nederland Lion’s Club, enjoyed an occasional trip to a casino and their timeshare in Mexico, supported many charities and always had a soft spot for dogs; especially the companionship of Max and Molli. She read every newspaper cover to cover and shared the important parts with her family. She was never known to be without a pack of cinnamon gum in her pocket or car.
Annette had a smile for everyone she met and the most caring heart ever as a mother, grandmother and friend. Her children and grandchildren were especially important to her. She loved spending time with family and friends when she got the chance, including attending youth basketball games and events with her dear neighbors Karin Nicholls and Jo Dixon, the team’s coaches. She will be missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Annette is survived by her daughter Romanda “Romy” (Argue) Ferris (Dan) of Florissant, Missouri; son Robert (Kim) of Longmont, Colorado; son Richard (Kwilah) of Richmond, Kentucky; son Randall (Cathy) of Littleton, Colorado; and step-daughter Ursula (Bruno) Gallati of Fällanden, Zürich; ex-husband Dr. Mark Sajjadi and son-in-law Rob Funderburg, both of Saratoga, California. 20 grandchildren: Simone Meier-Gallati, Mark Booth, Rachel Argue (Martell), Romanda “Mandy” Argue, Samantha Argue, Kellen and Cole Schneider, Caleb and Evan Schneider and Ashleigh, Benjamin (Marsha), Charity (Lexson) Miller, Deborah, Elizabeth, Fletcher, Gabriel, Hosea, Ilias, Joseph, Kyrianne Schneider. 11 great-grandchildren: Fionna and Graham Martell, Bowie Argue, Hosanna and Wesley Schneider, Hans, Kyrielle, Susana and Nelson Miller and Yara and Kian Meier and many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by: Her parents Victor and Ethel of Solon Springs, Wisconsin; her husband and life partner of 50 yrs, Robbie, of Greeley, Colorado; three sisters: Mary (Bill) Searcy of Alexandria, Louisiana; Patricia (Ronald) Finstad of Gordon, Wisconsin; Cynthia (Orville) Theilig of Wausau, Wisconsin; and daughter Susan (Sajjadi, Booth, BS, RDH, DDS) Funderburg of Saratoga, California.
A celebration of life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to your local Lion’s Club, animal shelter or charity of your choice.
Adamson Life Celebration Home in Greeley, Colorado, is serving the family.
