Patricia Keller, 83

Patricia “Trish” Mae Schneider-Keller from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away April 20, 2024. Trish was born April 25, 1940, in Mobridge, S.D., to parents Emil and Rosina (Wittmer) Schneider.

Trish grew up on a farm outside Mahto, S.D., and attended country school until the family sold the farm and moved to Mclaughlin, S.D., where she attended high school. While in high school, Trish was active in several scholastic groups, including glee club, journalism, yearbook staff, junior class play and she was a majorette. Trish graduated high school in 1958, attended the Black Hills School of Business, and then pursued a career in bookkeeping.

In 1978, Trish packed up the home and her five sons and moved to Hayden Lake, Idaho, to be closer to the family that resided in Spokane, Wash., and Osburn, Idaho. While in Idaho, Trish worked for several organizations, including a senior center, Coeur d’Alene Homes/Heritage Place, Action Auto Parts and the Idaho Forestry Service Nursery.

Trish dearly loved animals and saw beauty in all of God’s creations, especially her dogs and cats. She also welcomed her family’s pets into her home as if they were her own. 

Visitors were usually greeted by a chorus of the oldies. Trish loved music from the 1950s and ‘60s and would have it playing in the background while she read the newspaper or worked on her crossword and Sudoku puzzles.

Trish is preceded in death by her father, Emil Schneider; mother Rosina Wittmer-Schneider; brothers William Larue Schneider and William James Schneider; and sister Annie Marie Schneider-Baumberger. She is survived by brother Joe Schneider of Denver, Colo.; sisters Muriel Schneider-Fletcher of Wisconsin and Janet Schneider-Hay of Cornelius, Ore.; sons Jason Sailas (Angela Pederson), twins Joel Sailas and Jamie Sailas, all from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Chip Schneider (Angela MacIsaac) of Spokane Valley, Wash., and Deon Sailas (Kelly Anderson) from Gilbert, Ariz.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Trish will be forever loved and missed by her family, the many people who knew her and those who had the pleasure of meeting her. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness and dedication to her family and community, inspiring all who knew her to cherish life's simple joys.

In lieu of cards or flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: www.stjude.org. Per Trish’s wishes, no services will be held.