Alberta Schneider

Alberta L. “Bert” Libolt was born Feb. 9, 1926, to James M. and Cecile E. (Meacham) Libolt, on the family farm in Cherokee County, Iowa. As she was the youngest of nine children and three years younger than the next oldest sibling, her initials - A.L.L. - were most appropriate.  
Her younger years were spent on the farm involved in the many activities nine siblings can think to do together.  It was no surprise the older kids were always looking out for her and she shared the story of her brother Wayne coming in with a full milk bucket and dropping it at the door to quickly “bop” her on the head.  She had just finished stoking the fire and her hair was on fire, so she quickly forgave him.
In 1940 Bert moved with her parents and sister, Lois, to Custer, S.D. Because they lived far from town, Bert and Lois stayed with families in town, working for their room and board.  She said that while living with a wonderful lady named Mrs. Meyer during her junior year her mother tired of making posts to earn money and moved into town to share Bert’s room.  Not long after her dad made the room even cozier, maybe he tired of his own cooking. Soon Bert was sleeping on the couch and her parents were renting the room for themselves.
Bert graduated from Custer High School in 1943 and then went to work at the Colonial Mica Corp. as a desk and payroll clerk.  Education was something she valued greatly and never stopped looking to learn new things.
After she turned 18 she and Lois packed up their belongings and headed to Bremerton, Wash., to join oldest sister, Annetta, and her family in working at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in support of the war effort.  Her first job was in Repair on the USS West Virginia, which had been pulled out of Pearl Harbor. While in Washington State, she also took a turn at picking tasty Washington apples. The work wasn’t strenuous, but the experiences were numerous, exciting and priceless!
After the war ended the girls returned to Custer and in 1946 Bert married her soulmate, Wesley Arnold “Arnie” Schneider. Their marriage was strong, full of laughter and love, and soon included Wesley James, Bruce Wayne and Marcia.  
Bert continued to stretch herself with her employment choices, which included working in the Triple T and Tradewinds restaurants, Southern Hills Lumber Co., and in the laundry at the Custer State Hospital before being hired as deputy county treasurer.  She retired from the county position in 1990. They continued to live in Custer and built strong friendships spanning many generations before moving to Rapid City, S.D., in 2009.
Bert and Arnie shared 62 years dedicated to one another before his passing in 2009. Bert continued to live in Rapid City and gather more friends into her circle.
She passed away Oct. 8, 2021, at Monument Hospice House in Rapid City.  She was 95.
Her final instruction to family and friends is “no tears,” as she has gone to meet her Lord and to reunite with Arnie.
Blessed and grateful to call her Mom are her children, Jim (Monica) Schneider, Wayne (Gayle) Schneider and Marcia Eisenbraun; grandchildren, Brenda Schneider Luedtke, Wendy (Clint) Allison, Jorin Eisenbraun, Becky (Chad) Thibodeaux and Matt Schneider; great- grandchildren, Mike and Jordyn Schneider and children, Ashlyne, Alden and Emmett; Chance and Kaylee Thibodeaux with children Maddox, Rowyn and Asher; and Dylan and Kyla Thibodeaux and Weston and Mayleigh.  Her cherished friend, Bette Wilkinson, will miss their frequent visits, and nieces and nephews will long remember the annual birthday call from Aunt Bert.  
Although she outlived most of her generation, she leaves countless friends of all ages who are grateful to have known her.
Waiting for her at Heaven’s gate were her beloved, Arnie; cherished grandson, Mike Schneider; her parents, Jim and Cecile; siblings, Annetta Griffith, Esther Selk, Mae Selk, James M. Libolt, Jr., Adeline “Tene” Schipper, Wayne Libolt, Willard “Buck” Libolt and Lois Babcock Butler; and numerous friends and family.
Memorial services will be Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 11 a.m. at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City.  Visitation will be one-hour before the service.
Joint internment services for Bert and Arnie will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, S.D.  
Memorial donations may be to the charity of your choice!

 

User login