Boyd James "BJ" Schnaser

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Boyd James “B.J” Schnaser, 81, passed away at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, SD on Friday, June 21, 2019.

Memorial services, with military rites, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 29, 2019, at Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, with Reverend Marion Paulis, of Christ Episcopal Church in Milbank, officiating.  A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow the service at Schriver’s Memorial Fellowship Center.

B.J.’s wishes were to be cremated, with burial of his cremains to take place at sea.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, at the mortuary, on Saturday.   Family and friends may view B.J.’s service and also sign his online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Boyd James Schnaser (better known as “B.J.”) was born September 27, 1937, to Alfred and Orinda (Obitz) Schnaser.  He attended school in Big Stone City, SD until age nine, when he moved to Philadelphia, PA and attended school there.  B.J. later returned to Big Stone City and graduated from high school with the Class of 1955. 

Following graduation, B.J. enlisted in the United States Navy, where he would honorably serve his country for 20 years, including 2 ½ years spent serving in the Vietnam War.

B.J. was united in marriage to Diane Meadows on October 29, 1960, in Michigan City, Indiana.  To this union, three children were born:  Brian, Kim, and Kerri.  As a military family, the couple moved all over with their young children and lived in various places including England, Virginia, South Carolina, and Illinois.  After B.J. retired from the Navy, he and Diane settled in Ortonville, MN to raise their children.  B.J. and Diane then lived in Milbank, SD for the next five years before moving to Aberdeen, SD.  While living in Aberdeen, he embarked on a new adventure as a transport carrier for BNSF Railway.  B.J. thoroughly enjoyed his work and especially loved driving and chatting with the crew members each day up until his retirement.

In his free time, B.J. enjoyed going to the casino, reading, antelope hunting, and traveling.  He especially loved having breakfast with his wife at Perkins.

B.J. hid his heart of gold behind a lot of gruff, and shared his sense of humor with everyone he came in contact with.  He was a proud husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He voluntarily would take his grandchildren to the Twin Brooks Threshing Show, where his family had strong ties, and they would camp for several days.  “Dust and dirt never hurt a kid” as he would say.  B.J. will be missed beyond words.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Diane Schnaser of Aberdeen; his son, Brian (Jodi) Schnaser of Wilmot, SD; his daughters, Kim (Jim) Voeltz of Big Stone City, SD and Kerri Schnaser of Aberdeen, SD; eight grandchildren:  Dylan Voeltz, Kody (Erin) Schnaser, Cheyenne (Josh) Sime, Brady Nowick, Cassidy Voeltz, Marshall Voeltz, Hunter Schnaser and Kolton VanCleve; and three great-grandchildren:  Daylynn Voeltz, Paisley Schnaser and Huxton Sime, with a fourth grandchild due this fall.  B.J. is also survived by two sisters, Iva and Wanda Lee.

B.J. was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Orinda; and two brothers, Bion and Murlyn.

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