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Eldo Martin Schoneboom, 95, of Auburn passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Accura Healthcare in Lake City.
Eldo was baptized Sept. 23, 1928, confirmed on June 6, 1943, and was a life-long member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Lake View. He attended Lake View High School.
On March 15, 1946, Eldo enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed in Guam and Hong Kong, China. He received the Certificate of Honorable and Satisfactory Service in World War II and was discharged Jan. 22, 1948, with the rank of Private First Class. He was proud that he had served his country.
On June 27, 1949, Eldo was united in marriage to LaVerna Mohr. They made their home on the family farm for 74 years together until December 2023, when they moved permanently to Accura Healthcare in Lake City. They were looking forward to celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary this June. Eldo and La-Verna were blessed with seven children: Ronnie, Brenda, Larry, Lori, Reggie, Lisa and Tina. They raised their family on the farm. Eldo farmed for a short period, but mainly was a semi-truck driver for many years. He drove for Acoma Foods, Anderson Erickson and Farm Service Ag.
Throughout their life together, they enjoyed many things with family. They attended many church and school activities and events while the kids were growing up. Eldo and LaVerna enjoyed many Sunday picnics and holiday get-togethers with their loved ones. When the kids were growing up and all were still at home, there was always either a card game going on or basketball/football being played out in the yard or watched on TV. Eldo loved winter, and always had fun pulling the kids around the section on sleds and building igloos. He and La-Verna enjoyed dancing and watching Lawrence Welk and Billy Graham. They took many memorable trips together traveling to Montreal in Quebec, Canada, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, San Diego and San Francisco, Calif., Texas, Tijuana in Mexico and to the Bahamas.
Eldo took great pride in keeping their yard and huge garden in order, which of course led to a lot of canning for him and LaVerna but it provided a full pantry every winter. Over the years, they also enjoyed Sunday night cruises, going to the casino, many bus trips to Branson, Mo., fishing, grilling/cooking, reading and watching sports on television… as LaVerna would put it, Eldo was always “hoarding the remote.”
Above all things, Eldo loved his family. He loved it when family, friends and especially when the kids and grandkids would stop by just to visit. It was the one on one conversation that made his day. A lot of memories were made that will always be held close to the hearts of all those who knew and loved him.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife LaVerna (Mohr) Schoneboom; children: Brenda (Robert) Bengtson, Larry (Cheri) Schoneboom, Lori (Marty) Mauer, Reggie Schoneboom, Lisa (Jim) Garrels and Tina (Rick) Reiter; 12 grandchildren: Adam Bengtson, Ashley Bengtson, Jamie (Brenda) Schoneboom, Matthew Schoneboom, Nicci (Jason) Gruszeczka, Nick (Hayley) Mauer, Heidi (Wade) Handlos, Alyssa (Tarkha) Barbedo, Ryan Schoneboom, Bradley (fiancé Dreya) Garrels, Brian Garrels and Josie (Dustin) Bengford; 15 great-grandchildren; sister Beverly (Don) Williams; brother Curtis (Denise) Schoneboom; many other extended family members and friends.
Eldo was preceded in death by his son Ronald Schoneboom; parents, Gerkie and Erna Schoneboom; parents-in-law, George W. and Lillian Mohr; stepparent-in-law Tony Buse; sisters, Mavis (Curtis) Baird and Ivadell (Delmar) Huisenga.
A Memorial Service was held Monday, May 13, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Lake View. Burial was in Luckow Cemetery in rural Auburn. Farber & Otteman Funeral Home of Lake View was entrusted to care for Eldo and his family.
