Dennis Schoenefeld

A funeral service for Dennis Dean Schoenefeld, age 81, of Butte, Nebraska, was held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Butte, with Pastor Leif Hasskarl officiating. Casket bearers were Bruce Schoenefeld, Clayton Schoenefeld, Weston Schoenefeld, Todd Stoltenberg, Gary Stoltenberg, Kyle Raasch, and Griffin Goodwin. Ty Schoenefeld, Mitch Raasch, Lilly Goodwin, Layla Goodwin, Brinley Schoenefeld, and Sawyer Schoenefeld were honorary casket bearers. Cristy Brooks was in charge of registrations, and Vivian Frasch was the organist. Dennis Dean Schoenefeld was born in Burke, SD on October 1, 1944, to Alvin and Vera (Sieh) Schoenefeld. He grew up on the family farm seven miles west of Naper, Nebraska. Dennis attended country school through 8th grade. He graduated from Naper High School in 1962. Immediately following High School, Dennis worked as a ranch hand for a brief time. Thereafter, he stayed in Omaha while attending barber school, earning his barber’s license in 1966.

Dennis married Mary Reber on February 25, 1968, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Naper. To this union four children were born. They made their home in Butte.

Dennis was a licensed barber for over 50 years. He worked hard to provide for his family, often holding a variety of jobs in addition to his work at the barbershop. He was Civil Defense Director for two years. Dennis and Mary operated the first Boyd County Ambulance for two years (1973-1975). Dennis was the manager of the Butte Farm Supply for three-and-a-half years, and after that he returned to barbering and started part time work at the Butte Post Office. In January of 1997, he was appointed Butte Postmaster and retired from the USPS in January 2010.

Dennis was a member of the Butte Immanuel Lutheran Church, holding several different offices over the years and helping with many of the activities. Dennis served on the Board of Directors of the Twin Butte Villa. He was an active member of the Butte Volunteer Fire Department for over 35 years and an active supporter of school, church, and community activities.

Dennis was a deer hunter. He loved a game of pitch, and often found himself on the winning side. Anyone was lucky to be his pitch partner. He played many rounds of checkers with all of his children, never losing a match. Dennis enjoyed camping and created many fond memories of camping and boating at the Missouri River and Calamus with his family. He had a love for music, always whistling and singing along with the country and gospel music that was playing in the background. He loved spending time with his family, celebrating birthdays and holidays together, cheering for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at their activities, and watching the Huskers.

Dennis passed away May 18, 2026 at Country House in Grand Island surrounded by his family.

He is survived by wife Mary Schoenefeld; daughter Corina Raasch of Grand Island, son Troy Schoenefeld of Shelton, and daughter Amanda (Justin) Goodwin of Grand Island; grandchildren Ty (Jordan) Schoenefeld, Mitch Raasch, Kyle Raasch (Megan Johnson), Lilly Goodwin, Griffin Goodwin, and Layla Goodwin; great-grandchildren Brinley Schoenefeld and Sawyer Schoenefeld; brother Dale (Sara) Schoenefeld of Tulsa, Oklahoma; sisters-in-law Barb Schoenefeld and Myra Reis of of Burke, South Dakota; brothers-in-law Ken Stoltenberg of Atkinson, Nebraska, Dale Reber of Burke, and Donn (Kathy) Reber of Gregory; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents Alvin and Vera Schoenefeld; in-laws Milo and Lovera Reber; son Lance Scot; brother Wayne Schoenefeld; sister Shirley Stoltenberg; brother-in-law Nilo Reber; and son-in-law Dan Raasch.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Butte or Butte Volunteer Fire Department.