Lois C. Schnell, nee Leifsen 

1935 – 2026 

Lois was born in Brooklyn, NY, and was raised in Flushing, NY. She was the second born of four Leifsen sisters. Following her graduation from Bayside High School, she received her associates degree from secretarial school. 

Lois met her husband Emil at church while in her high school senior year and Emil was in his senior year at Dartmouth College. They were married in 1956 after their graduations and Emil was discharged from the Marines, living in the NY area for four years where they had two sons, Rich and Rob. Emil’s job took the family to Chicago, IL where they had a daughter, Lauren, and another son, Eric. 

Lois and her family lived in Naperville, IL for eight years, transferred to Nashville, TN for a year, transferred back to IL for another seven, Berkley Heights, NJ for three, then Greensboro, NC for eleven. They both retired to FL, where they lived for twenty-three years before settling at Crane's Mill Retirement Community in West Caldwell, NJ in November 2014.  

During the family raising years, Lois demonstrated her remarkable passion for life and effervescence. Whilst rearing four children born over five years, with their attendant busy academic and athletic schedules, she was also active in her community and church and cultivated an innate entrepreneurial talent. Lois mastered and taught specialized sewing techniques from her home, led the community gourmet dining club, volunteered at her church, became a successful Sales Director for a global cosmetics company, spent decades as a Hospice volunteer, and worked as a Stephen Minister in her church. She also had a successful modeling career, featured in print and TV ads. Following the loss of her son, Rob, in 1981, Lois drew upon her faith and effortlessly bore witness of the Lord’s Grace to thousands of other women as a sought-after Christian Women’s Club speaker, traveling the country. 

Throughout it all, Lois indulged her lifelong interest in art, revealing she had her commercial artist father’s talent for painting. She developed into a skilled and prolific artist, mastering numerous mediums and holding art shows. 

Lois was preceded in death by her husband Emil; parents Bjarne and Helen Leifsen; son Rob; grandson Tyler Magill; and sisters Jean Stroberg and Nancy Devine.

Lois is survived by her family: son Rich (Pierrette) Schnell; daughter Lauren (Doug) Magill; son Eric (Susan) Schnell; grandson Brandon (Emily) Magill; great granddaughter, Callie; and sister, Karen Skirde.

For those wishing to make a gift remembering Lois, the family suggests that donations be made to Journey Hospice of North New Jersey. Please add a dedication online or write "In memory of Lois C. Schnell" in the check memo line. If you prefer to mail a donation their address is Journey Hospice, c/o LSMNJ Foundation, Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey, 3 Manhattan Dr, Burlington, NJ 08016

Arrangements were provided by Codey Funeral Home of Caldwell. To share condolences or memories with the family, please visit CodeyFuneralHome.com.