Roland Schnorr

Standing tall as a hard-working family man, farmer, volunteer, and all-around great guy, Roland Schnorr put his hand to the plow one last time to finish his final earthly row on July 2, 2008. On Jan. 15, 1927, Roland was born to William and Katherine Scheller Schnorr in Windsor. The fun began when he went home and joined his eight older siblings on the family farm, Henry, Katherine, Philip, Molly, Elizabeth, Lydia, Edward, and Harry. Roland was adored by his brothers and sisters and fit in perfectly with this funny, loving German family. Following his education in the Windsor and Eaton school districts, Roland's view of the world was shaped when he served in the United States Army from 1945 to 1947. Roland formed strong relationships with his service buddies while assigned to Company B-188 in Iran and Company 128 in Egypt, and he never lost contact with these life-long friends. He returned to Colorado and spent the next year working for a construction company that built the intersection at I-25 and Highway 14 outside of Fort Collins. Roland returned to his roots in 1948, and joined his brothers in a successful farming operation that spanned over 40 years. The Schnorr Brothers farmed over 500 acres and were well known sugar beet growers. For several years, they were recognized as High Ten Beet Growers, and for seven consecutive years, the Schnorr Brothers won the Great Western High Sugar Producer Award. Working hard as a farmer was more than an occupation for Roland, it was who he was. He knew the value of hard work and doing so in the country was what he was placed on this earth to do. In 1948, Roland met a cute soda jerk at Leiser's Drug in Windsor, and they married on Aug. 19, 1951, at St. John's Lutheran Church. Roland took his bride, Darlene Rutz, to the farm where they were happy for 57 years and raised three children. The Schnorr kids-Bill, Joyce, and Lynne-had the best Dad who supported them in all their activities and instilled in them a love for the country. Thank you, Dad. We love you. Roland retired from farming in 1988, and took full advantage of the time to work in his large yard, which was always pristine. It was not unusual in the summertime for cars to slow when driving past the Schnorr residence to admire the flowers and perfectly manicured lawn. Roland's green thumb was most apparent in August when his 700 gladioli bloomed and were shared with many friends and family. In the winter, it was tough to miss the Schnorr place because of the 17,000 lights that Roland used to decorate for the holiday season. For 17 years, Roland was part of the Heart Center Attack Pack and exercised with an adult fitness group at CSU as well. He also loved to meet up with his German pals each Wednesday afternoon to share some laughs and good memories. Both Roland and Darlene looked forward to their loud and lively pinochle games with their cherished friends. Roland made a substantial contribution as a 20-year volunteer at Poudre Valley Hospital, logging well over 5000 service hours, and was adoringly known as "Mr. Friday". PVH employees and volunteers looked forward to the end of the week and made sure they got their hug from Mr. Friday, and Roland likewise looked forward to seeing them. Roland left so many people who will miss him, but none more than his wife, Darlene; his children and their spouses, Bill and Renee Schnorr, Joyce and David Geiger, and Lynne and Pat Sweangen; his grandchildren, Lynda, John and Patrick Sweangen, and his granddogs and grandcats, all of Fort Collins. Also surviving is Roland's brother, Ed Schnorr of Greeley; sister-in-law, Alice Schnorr of Loveland, as well as many nephews, nieces and their families. A private graveside service will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Windsor. A memorial service with military honors is scheduled at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, at Timnath Presbyterian Church where we plan to lovingly remember our buddy. The family requests all who attend wear colors that reflect the beauty of summertime, which was Roland's favorite season of the year. Because of Roland's farming background and concern for everyone, donations can be made to the Food Bank for Larimer County or the Windsor Food Pantry in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, CO 80524. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.