Nancy Jean Schnake

Nancy Jean Robertson Schnake was born October 5, 1949, the oldest daughter of Bill and Jeanne Robertson. Her siblings are Bill Robertson (Angela), David Robertson (Bobbette), and Tina Morehead (Michael). She married the love of her life, Steve Schnake, on September 11, 1976, and together they raised a big beautiful family, four children-Jeanie Schnake (Buck Chilton), Chris Schnake, Lisa Taylor (Don Taylor), and Tina Brunk (Duane Brunk). Mom started her family at an early age, and devoted her life to her family. We may be biased, but no one cooked as good as our mom. She loved cooking and we always had homemade food. She hosted many family gatherings over the years, and always pulled out all the stops. Mom turned home making into a work or art, our holiday dinners were spectacular and our Christmases were extravagant. Mom did her best to support us kids in whatever activities we were interested in, and she spent countless hours driving us around to lessons, practices, and musicals-you name it, she probably drove us to it! Growing up, our house was a hub of activity, with neighborhood kids coming and going-and she fed them all! She adored her twelve grandkids-Chelsea, John, Sully, Melinda, Steven, Leona, Trista, Abby, Jim, Joe, Seth, and Katie, and great grandsons Lyric and Chief. Mom was a gifted artist and enjoyed painting, tending flower beds, reading true crime novels, and the nightly ritual of watching Wheel of Fortune. She loved floating in the swimming pool at night and gazing at the stars. She loved music and had a beautiful singing voice. Our house was always full of music. Mom loved the dogs and cats she had as pets over the years, and she even learned how to catch horses with a bucket of grain after moving to the country. Although Mom never had a career outside the home, she poured everything she had into taking care of us, and if you had asked her what was her greatest accomplishment, her pride and joy, she would have smiled warmly and answered "my family".

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Monday, July 20, 2026 at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown with Rev. Mary Lou Janssen officiating. Burial will follow in Oetgen Cemetery in Beardstown. The family will meet with friends one hour prior to the services at the memorial home on Monday.

Memorials have been suggested to Cass County Animal Rescue, Godspeed, and Schuyler County Humane Society. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.