The following obituaries appeared in the April 5, 2023 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
For more area obituaries, please visit Schwab Mortuary.
For more resources including headstones, please visit the Star Valley Historical Society.
Truusje Schenkelaars Schell was born on August 5, 1934, in Eindhoven, Netherlands. She died on March 30, 2023, at the age of 88 in Thayne, Wyoming, where she and her husband had moved after their retirement to be close to the beautiful mountains.
Truusje’s first encounter with the United States was as a very young girl during the American soldiers’ liberation of Eindhoven during World War II. Air raid sirens were going off, and Truusje’s mother was trying to get herself and her children to the bomb shelter when the soldiers noticed them and helped her with the children. One of the soldiers picked up Truusje and carried her to shelter, where she sat in his lap while they were all in the bomb shelter. Throughout her life, she vividly remembered the event and the soldier who was so kind to her and her mother.
In the late 1950s, Truusje immigrated to Canada and then to the United States, ultimately winding up in Houston, Texas, where she lived for over 40 years. In Houston, she raised two sons to be loving and wonderful men, who had the same strong sense of determination that Truusje did. She married Floyd Schell on June 6, 1972.
A woman of style, Truusje was a licensed esthetician who shared her gifts with many women over the years. She always loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed winter sports, including ice skating as a young girl in the Netherlands. Later in life, she learned and excelled at snow skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. She was also an avid lover of all types of music. However, her favorite activity was spending time with her family and friends, and she was well known for her sense of flair in entertaining her guests.
Truusje is preceded in death by her father and mother, Hendricus and Maria Van de Wiel Schenkelaars; her four brothers, Gerardus Schenkelaars, Adolphus Schenkelaars, Josephus Schenkelaars, and Hendricus Schenkelaars; and four sisters, Maria Sliepen, Wilhelmina Breeko, Sibilla van Houten, and Francisa LaFarre, She will be greatly missed by her faithful husband, Floyd Schell; two sons and their wives, Jeff and Iwana Rademaekers of Amarillo, Texas, and Michael and Amy Rademaekers of Double Oak, Texas; and her grandchildren, Anastasia Brooking and husband Douglas, Amanda Rademaekers, Eli Rademaekers, and Mae Rademaekers.
A private celebration of Truusje’s life will be held at a later date. To honor Truusje’s memory, live today as Trussje always advised, “Enjoy every moment! Proost!!”
Dahl Toland Gardner died peacefully surrounded by his loving wife and children at Central Utah Veterans Home on the afternoon of March 28, 2023 at the age of 82.
He was the youngest son of Archibald and Mary Estella Gardner. He was born in Afton, Wyoming on September 5, 1940, younger brother to Nada Joy, Gayla, and Hal. His family later welcomed another daughter, Emilyn.
Dahl is survived by his sweetheart Neva, three sons: Ryan, Jason and Joseph Gardner, three daughters: Nora Gardner, Renee Chukwurah, and Megan Reeves, two step children: Verlynn Cook and Kyle Blackham, their spouses, two sisters: Nada Joy and Gayla, 26 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
He had a great love for his family and the gospel of Jesus Christ and spent much of his time serving in any capacity to which he was called. He served many missions throughout his life, including his call as a young, full-time missionary to Florida and later in life he served twice in a Church and Family History mission and served a Member and Leader Support mission in Minnesota with his wife, Neva. He loved teaching the gospel and his testimony touched many lives.
Dahl had a sensitive heart, scholarly mind and patriotic spirit. His distinguished academic background included a Bachelor’s degree and Master of Business Administration degree from Brigham Young University and a hospital administration degree from Duke University. He loved music and often family gatherings and reunions would turn into impromptu talent shows with musical numbers and instrumental performances.
To his children he was known to love the gospel, Saturday morning chores, ironing and reading good books. He displayed a serious nature and was meticulous with details. He encouraged his children to excel in academics and seek gospel knowledge.
To the in-laws of the family he was known to conduct rigorous interviews before marriage proposals were accepted. Those inter- views are still some of our favorite stories to share.
Above all we know he wanted the best for his family. He devoutly practiced his faith his entire life and strove to please the Lord in all he did. We know there was a joyous reunion with many family members when he passed away and we know that he will always watch over us and continue to help us. We love you, Dad!
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 7, 2023 at 11am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1801 West 700 South, Lehi, Utah. The viewing will be held prior to the funeral at 9:30am at the same location.
