education and became a nuclear physicist at Los Alamos. And, Shirley Temple’s seamstress came through our funeral home. I got paid to sit and listen to those stories,” he said. “It doesn’t get any better than that.” Education That Deepened Compassion Steve’s ability to connect with families wasn’t accidental. In addition to his mortuary degree, he earned a master’s degree in counseling, a decision that profoundly shaped his approach. “That counseling degree really paid off,” Denise said. “He’s really good with families.” Steve never tried to rush grief or “fix” it. He listened. He gave people space. He understood that a funeral service is as much an emotional experience as it is a practical one. “In this work,” Denise said, “you really want to meet people’s needs — not just go through the motions.” And they never did. A Family Legacy, Continued Steve and Denise raised three sons while building the funeral home. Today, that legacy continues through James, who is purchasing the business alongside Craig Riddle, whom Denise described as “like a son to us.” “They’ll change little things to make it work for them,” Denise said. “But the way families are cared for — that won’t change.” Steve agreed, “They’re doing it just like we taught them.” In June, Steve stepped back from day-to-day operations, allowing the next generation to take the lead while he remained available for support. “It gave them time to get comfortable,” Denise said. “And they’ve done great. The families love them.” A Retirement Filled With Love Their retirement celebration — planned in secret by their children — caught Steve and Denise completely off guard. “We weren’t dressed for a party,” Denise laughed. “We’d been working out at our house in the meadow all day.” Their youngest son finally convinced them to come to town for dinner. When they walked in, they were met with family, staff, stories and speeches from all three boys. “We were not prepared for that,” Steve said quietly. “There were tears,” Denise added. “The staff even had a wager going about when I’d cry.” Stepping Gently Into What’s Next Retirement doesn’t mean stopping — it just means slowing down. The Schnackenbergs are finishing a house in the meadow, helping James build a home, spending time with their four, soon to be five, grandchildren and continuing to serve in quieter ways. Denise has stayed on to help with the books. Steve will fill in when needed. “He’s going to be retired for about five days,” Denise joked, “and then he’ll be back helping.” A Legacy That Lives On Steve and Denise Schnackenberg will be remembered not just for the number of families they served, but for how they served them — with humility, patience and hearts wide open. They showed that funeral service isn’t about death — it’s about honoring life, holding space for grief and reminding people they are not alone. As they enter this next chapter, the community they’ve served so faithfully carries their example forward. Some legacies aren’t written in stone. They’re created through the kindness of people. DIRECTORS DIGEST | 9
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