Vida Belle (Schaeperkoetter) Schneider Mehrhoff, 97, of Higginsville, passed away Oct. 23, 2023.
She was born Oct. 25, 1925, in Mt. Sterling, above the General Merchandise Store owned by her parents, Fred and Sylvia (Optiz) Schaeperkoetter. She joined three older brothers.
Vida was baptized, confirmed, and married in St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church of Woollam near Owensville. She attended Mt. Sterling grade school and graduated from Owensville High School, Class of 1943.
She married her childhood sweetheart, Edsel Charles Schneider, Oct. 24, 1948. They moved to Lafayette County in 1954. To this marriage, two sons were born: Dennis Charles Sept. 18, 1949, and Roger Edward May 17, 1954 (stillborn). Edsel preceded her in death Nov. 17, 1960.
Vida married Alvin Mehrhoff, May 3, 1963. Alvin had three daughters: Estell (Tom) Ainsworth, Beatrice (Bob) Gordon, and Wanda Kay Mehrhoff, who welcomed her and Dennis into the family. Alvin preceded her in death on May 28, 1983.
Vida became the first church secretary at Salem UCC Church, in March 1961, where she worked for 22 years. After retirement, she worked for Bob Jarman Insurance for over 20 years. She also inspired many ladies as a Mary Kay consultant for more than 20 years.
Throughout the years, she was a member of the Webb Extension Club, Women’s Fellowship, and Higginsville Women’s Club.
For more than 22 years, Vida called the John Knox Village East community her home.
She was preceded in death by parents, Fred and Sylvia; husbands, Edsel and Alvin; son, Roger; brothers, Raymond (Cissy), Ivan (Romana), and Willard “Bill” (Eloise); step-daughter Estell (Tom) Ainsworth; and sons-in-law, Robert Gordon and Jerry Niemeier. The Schneider family preceding her in death includes Edsel’s sisters, Alvera (Raymond) Grechen, Viola (Joe) DeVoogt, Evelyn (Mildford) Niebregge, Orpha (Calvin) Schulte, Lavern (Elmer) Brandhorst, Bernice (Rubren) Brehe; and nephew, Mark Schulte.
She is survived by son, Dennis (friend Debbie Vandiver) of Corder; step-daughters, Beatrice Gordon of Columbia and Wanda Niemeier of Higginsville; grandchildren, Michele Schneider, Kim (Doug) Limback, Eric (Cindy) Schneider and Dustin (Amanda) Schneider; step-grandchildren, Rita (Bill) Wallpe, Rebecca Gordon, Don (Barbie) Gordon, Mike (Lisa) Gordon, Richard (Sandy) Niemeier and Tina Gibler; and numerous great-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 28, at Salem UCC Church in Higginsville. Burial was at Salem UCC Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Salem UCC Cemetery or family choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Kaiser-Wiegers Funeral Home, Higginsville.
