April 11, 1938 – February 16, 2026
Dorothy Irene Schnuelle, 87, formerly of Ventura, passed away Monday, February 16, 2026, at the Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha, Nebraska.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Ave. North, Clear Lake, Iowa, with Pastor Will Hunsaker officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme, Iowa.
Dorothy was born April 11, 1938, in her parents’ home in rural Klemme, Iowa, the daughter of Frances (Sandry) and Walter “Butch” Merkel. As the firstborn, weighing nearly 12 pounds and delivered by her grandmother.
Dorothy’s family moved frequently during her childhood, and she attended 13 different grade schools. She spent her high school years in Grand Meadow, Minnesota, graduating in 1956 as valedictorian of her class. She credited her parents for instilling in her the importance of education. The many moves taught her the value of hard work in her studies and helped her develop the ability to make new friends wherever she went.
Later in 1956, Dorothy married Dick Jacobson, and together they had three children: Cris, Brad, and Danny. They farmed together and taught their children the rewards of hard work. In 1973, Dorothy married Ralph Schnuelle in Nashville, Tennessee, and they had a daughter, Jane. Though their marriage ended in divorce, Dorothy often said, “Ralph is still my best friend. If ever in need, call Ralph.”
Dorothy moved from Grand Meadow to Ventura, Iowa, in 1972. After purchasing the Reel Inn, she decided her next step was to learn to drive a semi-truck. She was proud to be the first female driver hired by Warren Transport. She and Ralph hauled John Deere equipment across the United States. After Jane’s birth, Dorothy worked as a waitress at The Colony, Harbor Inn, and the Halfway Steakhouse while raising her four children. She retired in 1999 to care for her mother during her final seven months.
Dorothy was a devoted member of the Ventura Methodist Church, where her gift for music blessed the congregation as she faithfully served as organist. The outdoors was her sanctuary — she found joy in tending her flowers, nurturing her garden, and admiring the simple beauty of God’s creation. Many in the community fondly knew her as the one who made the raspberry jam, a sweet reflection of her generous spirit. Music, especially at the piano, was a lifelong passion that filled her home with warmth. She also expressed her love through baking and cooking, with Sunday family dinners becoming cherished gatherings filled with laughter, stories, and the comfort of being together.
Dorothy embraced retirement with a full heart, treasuring the chance to be a full-time grandmother. Nothing brought her greater joy than time spent with her children and grandchildren, whom she loved beyond measure and spoke of with immense pride. With gratitude and a smile, she would often say, “They all turned out good. Thank you, God.”
Dorothy is survived by her children: Cris (Rahn) Brager of Ventura; Bradley (LuAnn) Jacobson of Blair, Nebraska; Dan (Debbie) Jacobson of Omaha, Nebraska; and Jane Bouwman (Ben Butterfield) of Bennington, Nebraska; her 11 grandchildren; her 18 great-grandchildren; her sister, Margaret Jennings; along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her grandparents and parents and her sister, Alice Tucker and brothers-in-law, Jim Tucker and Toby Jennings. Dorothy wanted to end with; Prayers are the stairs we must climb every day, if we would reach God, there is no other way.
Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Ave. North, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428. 641-357-2193.
colonialchapels.com