Obituary of Elvira Patnode

Elvira Patnode passed away on Monday, June 19, 2017 in Lake Placid at the age of 94. Ellie, as she was known to everyone, was born in Schramburg, Germany on May 10th, 1923. She was the daughter of Otto Schniebs, the Father of American Skiing, and Frida (Von Knepel). In 1928 at the age of five she immigrated to the United States with her mother and sister Camilla to join her father in Waltham, Mass. She spent her early years in Hanover, NH before moving to Lake Placid at the age of fourteen. She graduated from LPHS in 1941 and attended St. Lawrence University. It was in Lake Placid that she met the love of her life, Bartholomew H. Patnode, whom she married in 1945. Ellie worked several summers for Kate Smith at her camp on Lake Placid. Ellie, her husband Bart and her father Otto owned and operated Otto Schniebs Ski Shop at Whiteface Mountain from 1958-1980. The Ski shop was relocated to Main Street in Lake Placid from 1980-1982. Ellie is survived by her five children, Patrick Patnode and Susan Cohan of Lafayette, NY, Camilla and David Palumbo of Lincoln City, OR, Alisa Patnode and Clarence Oliver of Lake Placid NY, Janet and Luiz Araujo of Vernon, BC, and Alice and Steven Bickford of Lake Placid NY. She is predeceased by her husband Bartholomew, daughter Barbara, sisters Camilla and Ursula Schniebs and grandson Rhys Wikoff. She is survived by five grandchildren Morgan Miller, Sarah Nahara, Matthew Araujo, Mirra Bickford and Evan Bickford. . She is also survived by two great grandsons Sebastian and Donovan Narvaz. Her family was her joy and her legacy. In accordance with her wishes, there will be no calling hours and the funeral will be private and at the convenience of the family. Those wishing to remember Ellie may make donations in her name to High Peaks Hospice. The M. B. Clark, Inc. Funeral Home in Lake Placid, NY is in charge of arrangements. Share a memory or leave condolences for the family to cherish at www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com .