Winona Schnitzer

Winona Schnitzer, age 92, of Bartlesville, died on Sunday evening, January 25, 2015. She was born on a farm near Alva, Oklahoma to Mary and Lester Maddox. Her parents and three siblings, Elva Martin, Myron Maddox and Marjorie Schenbeck preceded her in death. When she was nine, the family moved to a farm near Aline, Oklahoma. Winona attended a rural one-room grade school taught by her father, who also farmed. She graduated from Aline High School in 1940 and attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva for three years. Due to the shortage of teachers during World War II, she obtained a temporary teacher's certificate and taught business at Burlington, Oklahoma High School during 1943. Winona married Naval Ensign Merrill Schnitzer in January 1944. They lived in State College, Pennsylvania, while he attended Naval Engineering class at Penn State University, then lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia while he attended amphibious warfare school in nearby Norfolk, Virginia. Winona then moved to New Orleans while Merrill was based there prior to going overseas. When he departed for the Pacific Theater, Winona returned to teaching business classes at Attica, Kansas High School. After the end of WWII, Winona and Merrill attended Oklahoma State University. She received her Bachelor's degree in Business Education in 1947 while Merrill was in graduate school. They moved to Dewey, Oklahoma in 1951 and subsequently to Bartlesville. Winona was a mother and homemaker and was active in church, school and civic organizations, including Girl Scouts, PTA, Bloodmobile, Washington County Election Board, Churches United for Community Concern and Mutual Girls Club. She was a strong supporter of education. Winona and her husband established scholarships at Northwestern Oklahoma State and Oklahoma City Universities. For recreation, she enjoyed gardening, fishing, travel, spectator sports, reading and bridge. Winona is survived by daughter, Janine Novack, son, Steven, granddaughter, Taylor Novack, two grandsons, Landon and Trenton Schnitzer and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to the Winona Schnitzer Memorial Fund, c/o East Cross United Methodist Church, 820 S.E. Madison Blvd., Bartlesville, OK 74006. Services will be held on Thursday, January 29, at 10:00 AM, in the East Cross United Methodist Church, Bartlesville. Rev. Jeff Burress will be the officiant. Interment will follow the service in Alva, Oklahoma at 4:00 PM in the Alva Municipal Cemetery beside her husband, Merrill.

Visitation Details

Wednesday, January 28th, 2015 3:30pm - 5:00pm, Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home

Service Details

Thursday, January 29th, 2015 10:00am, East Cross United Methodist Church

Interment Details

Alva Muncipal Cemetery