Loren "Hoagie" Schnathorst

Loren “Hoagie” or “Hoag” Schnathorst was born September 12, 1941 in Marshalltown. He was the second child of Lewis and Luella Schnathorst of Laurel. His older brother, Carlton passed before him. He is survived by his younger siblings, Bill and Jolene. Hoag graduated from Laurel High School in 1960. He told many stories of youthful hijinks to his sons over the years. Hoag was especially fond to remember the adventures with his buddies in the Road Saints Auto Club. He was drafted into the Army in 1964. Hoag thrived in the Army and told and retold Army stories until the end of his life.

Hoag married Raelene (Nicholl) Schnathorst in 1967. They divorced in 1996 after having raised two sons, Stacy and Johnny. Hoag was a lover of fine art and introduced his sons to Peter Sellers’ Pink Panther movies, John Wayne and Clint Eastwood westerns, and the rock ‘n’ roll of Chuck Berry and Little Richard. He enjoyed supporting them in their many activities, serving as leader in Scouts and attending all of their many games, plays and concerts.

Hoag really, really loved cars. He both worked on cars for a living as a body man and as a hobby in his garage, working on his ’49 Plymouth. Later in life, Hoag enjoyed sitting in his car in various locations around Gilman, reading or doing word searches and keeping an eye on things with help from his oversized stuffed gorilla. Hoag took joking around very seriously. He spent a lifetime eliciting smiles, laughs, groans and eyerolls with an endless supply of jokes. He did his best to spread joy. Hoag baked muffins for friends, delivered May baskets around town, and mailed silly things to people.

Hoag moved from Gilman to the Iowa Veterans Home in 2023 due to declining health caused by COPD. There he enjoyed breakfasts of biscuits and gravy, the company of new friends, the loving care of its wonderful staff, and an entirely new and captive audience for his jokes. He died on March 3, 2025 after spending a few days listening to ‘50s doo-wop and Elvis Presley with his sons.

Per the wishes of Hoag and his family, cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial visitation will take place on Sunday, March 9 from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to Iowa River Hospice. For questions or condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

- Lovingly written by the family