CANCELLED SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: VELMA'S FUNERAL SERVICE FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, AT 9 AM HAS BEEN CANCELLED. 

Velma Lucille Schneider of Bethany Retirement Living Center in Fargo passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026 at the age of 93.

Velma was born in Bismarck, North Dakota on July 11, 1932. Her parents were Alice Olianna Kjosen Collis and Earl Alvin Collis. Her father Earl can be seen in his early years standing on top of his horse with lasso in hand as he and his family ranched in Medora, North Dakota.

Velma attended high school in Bismarck and graduated high school in Fargo and was active in cheerleading. She could let out an enthusiastic cheer from her past with volume and gusto.

Velma met her husband at a basketball game he was refereeing and from there they led a life of traveling the USA working in different states and moving on to another one. Sometimes two states in a year.

Her most treasured names were “mom” and “grandma”. Her room was filled with pictures of her three sons, spouses and 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

She loved children and when possible would help them in the church. She taught Sunday School and we have her faith books. In Fargo at her First Lutheran church, she did childcare during weekday events and on Sunday in the nursery.

Velma was an executive secretary with many businesses, ending her career working in the athletic department at NDSU. She was a treasured employee there with staff and students. Students talked to her often because she reminded them of their grandmother.

She was a loyal and faithful wife caring for her husband at home and in the nursing home for 20 years after his stroke.

Her faith was tested many times in the care for her son Jerry, who was born with a heart defect; who miraculously was moved from two hundredth on the waiting list for a groundbreaking surgery at the age of one year old to next day surgery of her then very “blue” baby. She knew then, that God hears and answers prayers and was an avid women of prayer. She went to church when she could and in later years listened to church on the radio. She looked forward to mail from the church and kept up on all the current events.

She subscribed to the Fargo Forum and read it cover to cover. You could always have a lively conversation with her because she was on top of current events. Bison football was near and dear to her heart and avidly watched. Her passion was to see “Wheel of Fortune”.

She kept in good health by products she bought from QVC. So many exercise items and nutritional supplements arrived at her door, that QVC became known as “Quick Velma Call”.

Her greatest wish as a mom and grandmother was that all her family would have faith in Jesus and would one day be with her in heaven.

Velma was preceded in death by her dad, Earl Collis; her mom, Alice Collis; her brother, Lester Collis; and her husband, Leo Schneider.

Velma is survived by her sons, George Schneider (Bozena Przbysz), Dr. Bruce Schneider (Kathleen); Jerry Schneider (Bette); and her grandchildren, Heather Schneider (George Shilowitz); Marissa McGovern (Ryan); Kelly Schneider, Braden Holt, Allison Holt, Carter Holt, Josh Schneider (Lindsey); Autumn Schlei (Doug); Daniel Schneider (Malisa); Benjamin Schneider (Yesenia). Velma is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Drew Schneider, Teddy Schneider, Gabriel Schneider, Caleb Schneider, Levi Schneider, Finn Schneider, Audriella Schlei, Ethan Schlei, Eliana Schlei, Oliver Schlei, Alice Schneider, Hannah Schneider, Teagan McGovern, Connor McGovern.

For those wishing to express their sympathies, the family kindly requests in lieu of flowers make donations to First Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND; a church home for her and her family for years.