Elfie Marie Schnichels, age 95, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott. She was born July 27, 1926, in Shidler, OK, the daughter of Garrett Lawrence Schnichels and Lillian Oriole Reasoner. She graduated from Fort Scott High School, then attended Fort Scott Community College, obtaining 18 credit hours. She then taught school in Bourbon County for three years. Elfie then decided to become a missionary and attended one year of Bible College in Fort Worth, TX. She then went to Old Mexico as a missionary where she served as a teacher and worked with needy children. While in Mexico she adopted four children from the children’s home in which she worked. After returning to the United States, she settled again in Bourbon County, KS with her children, Paul David, Mark Wayne, Linda Kathleen, and Rose Maria. She has 16 grandchildren. She had 23 great grandchildren with 19 still living. She also has a least one great-great grandchild, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.
Elfie lived at 1549 Key Road for many years where her children grew up. She dearly loved her flowers, plants, and even some gardening. While raising her children, she worked at Western Insurance Company for 8 years. Following that she worked at Mercy Hospital for 13 years. She loved to do crafts and would make Angels out of paper to occupy her time and give her a purpose. She will be sorely missed by many.
Only her daughters are still living, Linda Wurtz lives in Mesa AZ with her husband. Her younger daughter, Rose lives near Des Moines, IA, with three daughters that live nearby. She was preceded in death by her sons Paul David and Mark Wayne Schnichels.
Rev. Larry Stevicks will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Tuesday, January 4th, at the Emmanuel Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Marmaton Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to either The Gideons or Emmanuel Baptist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
