Antonia "Toni" Heinert Schnurr

---

Antonia "Toni" Schnurr, 92, passed away on Friday, September 18, 2009, at Rim Shadows Assisted Living, where she has resided for the past three months. Toni's family would like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to the administrator and staff at Rim Shadows for their kindness and gentle care over these past few months.

Toni was born in Solen, ND on July 5, 1917, to Jacob and Margaretha (Judt) Heinert, the middle child in a family of 12 children, nine of whom survived to adulthood. She was raised on a farm near Odense, ND, (south of Mandan) and attended a country school. German was the language spoken at home and she learned to speak English when she went to school. Toni worked very hard on the farm and many days you could find her out in the fields plowing along with her brothers and then continued her work day helping with the cooking and cleaning around the house. Toni had many colorful stories regarding her life on the farm and enjoyed telling those stories to her family and friends.

When Toni was in her early twenties, she moved to Bismarck and worked as a cook at a rooming house. She eventually moved to Billings where she worked at the Rainbow Cleaners and then at JC Penneys.

Toni married Peter Schnurr on January 15, 1955 in Billings. From that union they had two daughters, Tonette and Paulette. Pete passed away in 1990.

Toni was a faithful member, for more than 50 years, of Little Flower Parish and a long-time member of the Catholic Daughters. Living across the street from Little Flower Church she was often called upon to help with cleaning of the church and serving food at gatherings in the church basement.

Toni was an excellent cook and homemaker. She showed her talents as a seamstress with the many clothing items she sewed for her daughters as they were growing up and for herself. She also enjoyed gardening and crocheting, making a variety of afghans over the years. Toni enjoyed social gatherings and cherished the many long-time friendships she had over the years. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Toni is survived by her two daughters, Tonette (Ken) Luoma of Billings and Paulette (Ross) Whitmore of Jacksonville, NC. Five grandchildren, Eric (Linda) Whitmore of Fayetteville, NC, Nathan and Heidi Whitmore of Jacksonville, NC, Gretchen (Dan) Owen of Arvada, CO and Michael Luoma of Billings. Three great-grandchildren, Isabella and Alia Whitmore and Damian Owen. Toni has one surviving sister, Betty Hilfer of Mandan, ND, and many nieces and nephews.

Toni is preceded in death by her husband, Pete; her parents; her brothers, Albert, Joseph, Jack, Matt, infant Adam and preschooler Jacob Jr; her sisters Tillie Wetsch, Mag Schmidt, Rose Corbett and infant Margaret.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Little Flower Catholic Parish, 209 S. 35th St, Billings, MT 59101. Visitation at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary will begin 2pm Sunday and continue through 8pm Tuesday. Cremation will take place prior to the vigil and funeral. Vigil service will be held at Little Flower Parish on Wednesday, Sept 23 at 7pm. Funeral Mass will be held at 11am on Thursday, Sept 24 at Little Flower Parish with luncheon in the church basement to follow.

    

---

 

Remembrances

Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.

Add Your Remembrance

---

For the Schnurr family, I am so sorry to hear that you have lost your mom. I do understand, since ours is still so fresh. I wish I could be there, but I can't. All of you will be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all. Love, Ann Corbett

---