Gordon Schnell

A celebration of life service for Gordon Schnell will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2024 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson.  Burial will take place at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Dickinson.

Gordon was born July 6, 1940 in Dickinson to Ray and Clara (Kittleson) Schnell.  He was the youngest of thirteen children.  Gordon graduated from Dickinson High School before attending college at St. Louis University and studying law at the University of North Dakota.  It was during this time that Gordon married his high school sweetheart, Sandee Beyers.  The couple was blessed with three children, Brian, Courtney and Tom.  They lived in Bismarck before returning to Dickinson, where Gordon joined Mackoff Kellogg law firm, and later retired after more than 40 years of practicing law.

Gordon was a loving husband and father, devoted grandfather, hard-working lawyer and loyal friend.  He cherished his family and time spent with them.  He and Sandee loved attending their children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and activities and taking family vacations.  They also enjoyed spending time with Gordon’s extended family.  A delicious dinner followed by playing games or doing puzzles was a perfect evening for Gordon.  He also loved to entertain.  He was a wonderful host, and often helped serve dinner or make pancake breakfasts for family and friends.

Those closest to Gordon knew him to be a kind, thoughtful and positive person.  His favorite word was “terrific.”  He had a great sense of humor and dry wit that his family often referred to as “Gordon humor.”  Gordon was passionate about people and favorite hobbies.   He enjoyed life and he and Sandee lived it to the fullest. Sporting events, theater and concerts were favorite activities, especially when shared with children and grandchildren.  Gordon and Sandee also enjoyed good food and wine, and loved to celebrate with family and friends.  One of Gordon’s gifts was the ability to craft witty toasts to honor family and friends on special occasions.  

Gordon was a proud member of the community and served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, an Elks Trustee, Blue Hawk Booster and President of the North Dakota State Bar.  

Gordon will be greatly missed.  He is survived by his wife Sandee; children Brian (Julie) Schnell, Courtney (John) Moody, Tom Schnell; grandchildren Hayley (Tyler) Erstad, Jordan (Alex) Tangen, Jaime Schnell, Allison (Edmond Younes) Moody, Cameron Moody; great-grandson Jacob Erstad; sister Shirlene Winn; sisters-in-law Linda Schnell, Carla Schnell, Maureen Schnell.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Clara Schnell; sisters Lucille (Dick) Law, Viola (Mike) Boehm, Oral (Walt) Shjeflo, Luella and Laverne Schnell; and brothers Raymond (Geneva) Schnell, Willard Schnell, Howard (Joyce) Schnell, Robert Schnell, Wayne Schnell, Jerry Schnell.

In lieu of flowers, Gordon’s family suggests memorials to Elks Camp Grassick in Dawson ND, AMEN Food Pantry in Dickinson ND, and Home on the Range in Sentinel Butte ND.