Sylvester "Herb" J. Schreiner

Sylvester J. (Herb) Schreiner, 74, of Sleepy Eye was taken home by our Lord on Friday, April 27 at the home of his daughter in East Bethel. He was surrounded by his family and under the care of St. Croix Hospice. His death follows a 2 year struggle after suffering an accident at home resulting in a serious brain injury. Herb was born February 15, 1944 in Sleepy Eye to Joseph and Ann (Goeden) Schreiner. He grew up on their farm north of town. Herb attended St. Mary's Schools. In 1962, he enlisted in the National Guard, taking his basic training at Fort Polk Louisiana. Herb continued to serve in the National Guard for 21 years, retiring in 1984. He was a member or the Sleepy Eye American Legion and longtime member of Sleepy Eye Honor Guard, serving as president for many years. On May 6, 1967, he married Sandra Christensen. They would have celebrated 51 years of marriage this May. Together, they raised 2 children, Christine and Cary; taking many family vacations and making memories with his children and grandchildren. Herb was a mechanic in the Sleepy Eye area for 55 years, working at Dick's Skelly, West Side Garage, and North Side Garage. In 1974, while at North Side Garage, the School Board approached him to teach auto mechanics at Springfield (Cottonwood River Cooperative Center-CRCC). After much consideration, Herb went to Mankato State to earn a teaching license. He enjoyed teaching and taught school for 19 years, retiring in 1993. During that time, he built his own shop and started Herb's Repair which he operated until the time of his accident. He loved anything to do with cars and especially enjoyed finding the cause of a complicated problem. He was always available for evening, weekend, and holiday emergencies to work on a vehicle for local customers and also for travelers who had car trouble while in the area. Through the years, he accumulated a small collection of classic and antique cars that have appeared in various local parades. For many years Herb participated in racing cars at Redwood and Bird Island Speedways, first as a member of the pit crew and then building and driving his own car. He also enjoyed demolition derby competition and won 1st place at several fairs over the years. Deer hunting and fishing were his leisure pastimes. Deer hunting with either a gun or bow and arrow. He was especially passionate about walleye fishing. He entered contests in Minnesota and Canada winning many trophies, including 1st place in the amateur division of the Gary Roach Walleye Championship in 2000. Herb is survived by his wife, Sandra, their son Cary of Sleepy Eye and his children Samantha and Ryleigh; and daughter Christine of East Bethel and special friend Bruce Allan; her children Zachary, Jordan, Neil, Nicholas, Naomi and Bruce's daughter Makayla. Also surviving are his sister, Maggie Kuebler, of Sleepy Eye and his brother, Peter and sister in law, Jelaine Schreiner of Mankato, sisters in law Judy Christensen, Gail Christensen and Kelly Friton and brother in law Douglas Friton, all of Sleepy Eye and many nieces, nephews and friends. Herb is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Ann Schreiner; his parents in law, Nip and Helen Christensen; two brothers in law, Charlie Kuebler and Grant Christensen and infant nephew, Duane Schreiner. Blessed be their memory. Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Sunday, April 29, 2018 Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel 301 - 3rd Ave. S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Visitation 2 7:30 am - 10:00 am Monday, April 30, 2018 Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel 301 - 3rd Ave. S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Service Information 10:30 am Monday, April 30, 2018 St. Mary's Catholic Church-Sleepy Eye 636 1st Ave. North Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Interment Information Home Cemetery 700 St. Mary's St. N.E. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085