Geraldine (Gerri) Schnaus, 59, Loogootee

Geraldine (Gerri) Schnaus, 59, of Loogootee, died of cancer Sunday, March 20, 2016.

She was at home with family by her side, after never giving up during a two-year battle.

She was born in Jasper on March 18, 1957, to George and Marian (Prechtel) Eckerle.

Gerri graduated from Jasper High School in 1975 and later completed a Bachelor’s Degree in business from the University of Southern Indiana. She married Stephen Schnaus, her high school sweetheart, in 1977. They moved to the Evansville area to raise a family until the two of them retired and moved to Sarasota, Florida and then their current residence, Loogootee.

Gerri taught high school business classes and was passionate about making a difference in the lives of her students and everyone around her. She also had several other jobs in which she would use her skills to help others in need.

She was a member of St.John’s Catholic Church in Loogootee and volunteered her time at the St. Vincent DePaul Society and the Food Pantry. She loved to read, travel, and spend time on the beach or out on the water. Gerri loved being around her grandchildren, spoiling them every chance she could. She also had a deep appreciation for the Amish community in which she was an active supporter and truly admired their culture.

Gerri is survived by her husband Steve of 39 years; two sons, Cale Schnaus (Rachael) of Evansville and Ared Schnaus (Jennifer) of Fort Branch; grandchildren, Paige, Asher, Hayden and Cora; father George Eckerle and his companion Norberta of Jasper; sisters Jane (Gene) Hochgesang of Jasper; Sharon (Fred) Schnell of Birdseye and Karen (Rick) Hauser of Birdeye.

She is preceded in death by her beloved mother, Marian Eckerle.

Memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. EST Saturday, April 2, 2016, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Loogootee. Friends and family may visit from 9:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Easter Seals.