Roger William Schnaser

Roger William Schnaser, 72, of Poinciana, FL, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at the Good Shepherd Hospice Forsythe Hospice House in Auburndale, FL. Roger is survived by: his loving wife of 47 years, Linda: his daughters, Joa Pope of Lakeland, FL and Jill O'Hanlon (spouse Brian) of College Park, MD; his siblings, Kenneth Schnaser (Jean Ann) of Appleton, MN, Pat Bruzek (Ron) of Eagan, MN, Mary Schumacher of Eagan, MN and Don Schnaser (Mary) of Lester Prairie, MN; many nieces and nephews, and four grandchildren, Christian, Ruby, Emerson and Marigold. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Gene Schnaser. Born September 9, 1944 to Pete and Ruby Schnaser in Montevideo, Minnesota, he was raised on the family farm in Appleton, MN. Roger and his siblings worked hard on the farm, yet had an idyllic rural upbringing and education. Being quite tall at a young age, he learned to play basketball on the dusty floor of the barn on the family farm. He developed a great love and commitment to basketball that continued throughout his life. Roger graduated from Appleton High School in 1962, went on to Wilmar Junior College and received his BA at the University of Minnesota Morris in 1967 all while enjoying an illustrious basketball career. Coaching and teaching physical education led him to pursue his Master's in Recreation Administration at the University of Northern Colorado in 1973. Roger also proudly served his country in the National Guard. Roger was an insurance agent for State Farm from 1975 to 2009. For 34 years, he developed a strong network of friends, coworkers, and policy holders who were subjected to many pranks and jokes. If you haven't heard the one about the Rabbi, the Priest and the Minister walking into a bar, consider yourself spared. However, during those years, he also poured himself into coaching basketball and served in many leadership roles for the Lutheran church and his daughters' schools, touching many lives. Through all the people he touched, his humor and love for life was based on the greatest love of all; John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life." Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2017, 10:00 am, at Grace Lutheran Church, 327 Ave C SE, Winter Haven, FL 33880 and in Minnesota on Friday, June 23, 2017, 2:00 pm at Lutheran Church of the Redemption, 927 E Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington 55420. In lieu of flower donations in his memory may be given to either church or the American Cancer Society.