Donald Paul Schonert

PSALM 91: 2. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my GOD In whom I trust.” Donald Paul Schonert was born on March 29, 1937, in Somers, Iowa to Paul Henry and Lola Ruth Schonert. He was one of nine children; 6 sisters and 3 brothers. His sister Lois writes: “as a child of six, with a rather snoopy “need to know” attitude, I do indeed remember that day! At that time, our family lived “on the hill” near Somers Iowa. We lived on this farm {rented}, but did not farm. Dad worked for the railroad for income. The farmhouse was cold and drafty, no running water or electricity. Heat was from the kitchen cooking stove and pot belly stove in the parlor. I got up in the morning, probably to get ready for school. Aunt Ole, {local midwife} was washing a baby in front of the kitchen stove with the oven door open. I don’t remember what happened after that, because that was as far as I got---was probably told to shut the door---quite firmly! I can’t remember when we were formally introduced to our new brother, but as time went on and I was allowed to hold him and play with him, he became my “buddy”. He was such a cute little guy, with blonde curly hair. He was a bit mischievous and even had a quick wit! His brother Jim remembers; “when Don was about 12, I was home for a few days from work, it was summertime. I had a motorbike {called a whizzer}, Don wanted to ride it, so I let him. He took off and a while later he came walking back {limping} up the driveway. No motorbike! He was not wearing a shirt and was all skinned up. He had hit some loose gravel and lost control and dumped it. He left it at the side of the road up on the other side of the tracks. I went to get it and the front wheel was all bent up, so I had to push it home. Even with these little incidents in our life, Don has always been a great brother, as well as a brother in the LORD”. Don’s sister Barbara remembers; “when we were growing up, we kept mom and dad in the “red” because of breaking our glasses. I remember riding horse sticks, and just having fun playing. I love that you have the LORD, your faith is so strong, you are an awesome brother and I love you.” Don was typical teenager at Jolley High School. He played basketball and baseball, drove around the town square chasing girls, hung out at the 17/20 cafe putting nickels in the juke box. His classmates said he had a quiet demeanor, a great sense of humor and a lot of character. Don joined the US Army after high school in 1956 at Fort Lewis, Washington. His next duty assignment was to Ft. Huachuca, Arizona 1959. This is where his LOVE story begins: One day in 1959, Don went into a bar for a cold beer, and he was served by none other than, Mary Ann Carlisle. And as we have all heard, the two immediately struck up a lively conversation. Don, not wanting to leave the bar and not wanting to drink beer after beer, sat all night long drinking that one beer, just so he could stay and talk to Mary Ann. On March 7, 1959, less than six months after Don ordered that sole beer from Mary Ann, the two were married and moving on to start their family. Their marriage took them on travels across the United States and Abroad. In total, they moved 13 times and lived in many different homes in between each transfer. In addition to several transfers within the states, Don served in Korea, Vietnam, and in Germany. Don served the US Army for 20 plus years. He served in Korea, Vietnam, and three times in Germany. He received the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with a Palm, and five Good Conduct Medals. By 1974, MaryAnn and Don returned to the U.S. and finished out their final years of service in the Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After Don’s retirement, the couple was finally able to lay down roots in Bellevue, Nebraska where they have lived out the rest of their days. During Don’s impressive timeline of military travels, he and Mary Ann were blessed with several children along the way. Their first child, Terri Lee and their second, Steven Paul were born during their first tour at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. Soon after, Franklin J joined the family while stationed in Fort Carson, Colorado. And Mary Luise was born later in Omaha, Nebraska while Don was deployed overseas serving in Vietnam. Don and Mary Ann also had twins while stationed in Germany. Donna Ann and John Henry, or “the twins”, as they so affectionately referred to them, were born prematurely and unfortunately passed shortly after birth. During their 63 years of marriage, Mary Ann and Don’s four children have grown the Schonert family tree substantially. They’ve been blessed with 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, with hopes of many more to come. After Don’s military career, he went to college and obtained his Associates Degree in professional accounting at Nebraska College of Business and then to Buena Vista College for his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting. Don was employed at University of Nebraska Medical Center as staff accountant and then assistant manager/supervisor, retiring in 1996. He worked part-time as an accountant and tax preparer for several other companies until the early 2000’s. He also was a volunteer accountant for Christ for the Cities International. In addition to his career and family, Don also believed in being an active member of his faith community. He enjoyed helping the boys of Royal Ranger as their commander for many years. He also was an usher for BCC. You can bet he had some candy in his pocket for the little ones. Donald will be best remembered for his love for his children and family and Lord. As Ephesians 6: 1-4 states, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother –which is the first commandment with a promise---so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on Earth: Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord and devotion to Jesus Christ.” Donald, too, strove to teach his family to follow Jesus. Every day Don would talk about Jesus. He was a constant beacon of support, truly living a holy life. As a member of the Free Methodist Church and Assembly of God Church (now Bellevue Christian Center) in Bellevue, Nebraska, he bore witness to his faith and prayed for strength to live as our Lord. In Romans, God asks us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, to serve Him. Donald, together with his late wife Mary Ann, lived this testament and prayed for others to join them in service to Him. Even during his last few hours on Earth, Don discussed how Heaven is waiting for all of us. Donald Paul Schonert, we pray that your sacrifices, service, and devotion to faith have led you to share in the Lord’s Glory. Donald Paul Schonert was reunited in heaven with his loving wife on Friday, December 23, 2022, at the age of 85 years. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ann; father Paul Henry Schonert and mother Lola Ruth Wells; infant children Donna Ann and John Henry; granddaughter Christine Lee Schonert; great-grandson Dominic Korbin Aulner-Mancilla; brother Orville "Bud" Schonert; sisters Mary Frances Stockwell, Betty Pascua, Lola Bender, Lois Jean Martinson, Linda Rogers. Donald is survived by children Terri (Albert) Aulner, Steven (Laurie) Schonert, Franklin (Vikki) Schonert, and Mary (David) Pacheco; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; brothers James and Robert Schonert; sister Barbara Lake; many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Bellevue Christian Center/Children Ministries https://www.bellevuechristian.com/give