Wesley H. Schnack

Wesley H. Schnack

Primghar, Iowa

            Services for Wesley H. Schnack, age 86, of Primghar who passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023, at Prairie View Home in Sanborn.  His celebration of life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, March 6, 2023, at Grace Lutheran Church in Primghar with Pastor John Adams ~ officiating.

            To view Wes' livestream, please register at:  https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=c79a0bca-f50b-49e2-920b-bc758fbacf6e

            Burial will be at a later date at Elkhorn Cemetery in Elkhorn, Nebraska.

            Visitation with family present will be from 10 A.M. until the time of service on Monday, March 6, 2023, at the church.

            In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials be directed to Prairie View Home in Sanborn or Gentiva Hospice.

            Arrangements are under the care of the Eldridge Family Funeral Home in Primghar.

On Monday February 13, 2023, Wesley Hugo Schnack died in Prairie View Care Center in Sanborn, Iowa, with his wife of 62 years, Barb, and some of his children by his side. He fought a good fight, which for those who know him, was not a surprise. He was eighty-six years old. 

Wes was born on August 12, 1936, in Omaha, NE to Hugo and Minnie Schnack. He had a younger sibling Gaye (Schnack) Kammerer. Raised on a farm west of Gretna, NE, Wes fell in love with all things sports related and was not only dedicated to them but a highly decorated athlete. He excelled in Football and Baseball and went on to play for the University of Nebraska at Omaha. While attending UNO as an Education major, he was dubbed “The Bloody Hitter” by the Omaha World Herald, as he dropped singles behind the shortstop and second basemen. As his batting average rose, the “Bloody” tag was eventually removed. 

Wes married Barbara (Sewing) April 9, 1960 and they began to start their family shortly thereafter. After teaching and coaching in several places in Nebraska, they made their way to Northwest, Iowa and settled in for the duration. While in Primghar, he taught Social Studies and American History, coached Football, Girls basketball and Track until a career change in 1977. Wes began his work with Cargill and excelled in Sales. He loved people. Never meeting a stranger, he could always find a way to connect with someone. His love for sports, coaching and students brought him back to coaching football in his later years in several beloved schools. 

In having a large family with seven children, Wes was a provider. Even as his children grew into adults with their own families, it was always known that “Dad” was just a phone call away when help was needed. He spent countless hours teaching his own children and any that desired, how to catch, throw a baseball or a pass football. He was an avid golfer and thoroughly enjoyed that hobby with anyone willing to play “8 & 9 twice” with him. If the sun hadn’t set, there was time to play a couple holes. 

Wes is survived by his faithful wife Barb Schnack, his children Doug Schnack, LexAnn (Steve) Alig, Karen Kruse, Kimberly (Bill) Slaton, Dallas Schnack, Jenny (Phil) Martinez, and Dustin (Jessie) Schnack. His sister-in-law of 62 years, Norma Heldt and his brother-in-law Roger Kammerer. He is also survived by a tribe of grandchildren, Zak (Janelle) Schnack, Samantha (Cody) Rosenboom, Jackson Kruse, Bridgette Kron, Thomas (Lindsay) Vander Pol, Bailee Vander Pol, Lauren Slaton, Sabrina (Sky) Tiahrt, Tiberius, Briseis, Loxia, Tavian, Naia and Liviah Schnack, Houston Brock, Josie, Izzy, Eli and Maggie Jo Martinez, Hazel and Oscar Schnack and a loving group of great grandchildren. His nieces and nephews Steve (Cheryl) VanWinkle, Greg (Jeni) Heldt, Mike (Deb) Heldt, Jan Nelson, and Amy (Tuck) Heldt-Smith. 

Wes is preceded in death by his parents Hugo & Minnie, sister Gaye, brother-in-law Larry Heldt and niece Julie Trost. 

The family would like to express their gratitude to those who served him well in his last days. To all the nurses and staff at Prairie View Care Center, your dedication and genuine love for your patients has not gone unnoticed. You are a blessing. The Family also thanks Gentiva Hospice Care for making those last days as comfortable as possible while being a huge support to the

family. A thank you to Dr. Lee Kamstra and Shonda Wittrock, all the staff at Mill Creek and all throughout the Sanford Health System for care over the years. A big thank you to John Adams for serving Wes and Barb and family, with such compassion and love. 

Celebrate Wes Schnacks’ life with us on Monday March 6th at 11:00 am at Grace Lutheran Church in Primghar, Iowa with a luncheon to follow. Visitation with Family present will be from 10:00 am until service time with burial at a later date in Nebraska. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in honor of Wes to either Prairie View or Gentiva. The family would like to thank each of you for your support and will be making a donation to both Prairie View and Gentiva, instead of sending individual thank you notes. 

The next time you hear the Nebraska fight song or play 8 & 9 twice at the Primghar Country Club, remember Wes and smile. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17