Family of man who committed suicide has a message

ALBERT LEA — The sister and mother of the man who apparently committed suicide Tuesday by being in the path of a train said they don’t want the Union Pacific crew members to beat themselves up over the man’s death.

“We know they tried to stop in time. You can’t stop a train on a dime,” said Laurel Lemke of Norwood, Minn.

She is the sister of Scott C. Schneider, 50. He was walking down the Union Pacific tracks adjacent to U.S. Highway 65 south of Albert Lea and east of Interstate 35 and did not remove himself from the path of a southbound freight train.

His mother, Barbara Schneider, resides in Norwood but spent most of her years in Mound, Minn.

Lemke said her brother suffered from depression and alcoholism.

“He couldn’t see his way clear,” she said.

She said he kissed his girlfriend good night then left on a walk. Dispatchers received a call at 12:08 a.m. Tuesday of a casualty on the Union Pacific tracks.

The sister and mother also want to thank the first responders.

“We wish to extend our great appreciation to the police and to the first responders who were called to the scene,” Lemke said.

She called on people to be especially aware of depression and other mental problems, particularly in light of a long winter.

SportsPlus

Business

Hormel announces 2024 Class of Hormel Heroes Scholarship recipients

Education

Saluting service: Pacelli’s Veterans Day program a story of the past and future

Mower County

Call for Volunteers: Salvation Army looking for extra help for busy holiday season

News

Trump wins the White House in a political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters

Education

In Your Community: Money donated in Grandma Shirley’s name

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

Mower County

In Your Community: Fourth Holiday Bing-Oh! prize claimed

News

The US election was largely trouble-free, but a flood of misinformation raises future concerns

News

Jury convicts man of killing girlfriend and hiding her body in rural Minnesota

Mower County

Tom Robbins to be new executive director of Austin Area Arts

Mower County

Institute scientist and team’s database work featured in science communication publication

Business

Hy-Vee celebrates 25 Years of its Veterans Day Breakfast

Mower County

I-90 Austin detour planned Nov. 15-18 for Fourth Street bridge demolition

Business

Hormel named a Best for Vets Employer for 12th year in a row

Mower County

Technical issue from Tuesday night’s election results in slight ballot count changes

News

2024 Election Rundown

Mower County

Patricia Mueller retains District 23B seat

Mower County

Zielke wins special election to round out Green’s school board seat

Mower County

Incumbents hold seats for Mayor, City Council; Waller returns to council in Ward 2

Mower County

Glynn earns fourth term on County Board, Mueller a second term

News

Trump wins the White House in political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters

Mower County

Technical issues causing delay in upload of Mower voter tallies

News

Democrat Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota wins 4th Senate term, defeating GOP ex-NBA player Royce White