Dara was born March 5th, 1960 to Herbert and Elaine Schnabel.  Dara graduated from Olathe High School in 1977, where she was a member of the band and of The National Honor Society. She attended Johnson County Community College and then went on to Pittsburg State University where she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. She moved to Joplin, MO after graduation and began the lifelong career that she loved. She began her nursing career at Freeman Hospital in Joplin as a labor and delivery nurse. She briefly worked as a traveling nurse providing in-home care for patients while at Freeman, also. Dara moved home to Olathe in order to be closer to her family after her father passed away. She worked briefly at the Kansas Institute as a psychiatric charge nurse before working at Shawnee Mission Medical Center and Menorah as a labor and delivery nurse again. She was so skilled that doctors would call ahead and make sure she was working when they had a difficult case coming in. She worked at Women’s Care of Johnson County in their medical offices. She then taught for a year at Kansas City Kansas Community College, before going to work for an insurance company as a consultant. Seven years ago, however, she found her home and work family at Johnson County Developmental Supports. Throughout her career, she cared for all of her patients, but she held a special place in her heart for the clients at JCDS. She would accept nothing less than the highest quality of care for those clients. She became an advocate for them. A voice for those who did not have a voice. She also cared very deeply for the staff at JCDS and they became her work family. They came up with the phrase “WWDD for What Would Dara Do” for work situations. She loved and respected them as much as they loved and respected her.

While she was a nurse, she was so much more. She was the most devoted mother to Bren Schnabel that she could have possibly been. She supported him in all of his endeavors and was his biggest fan and cheerleader. You always knew where she was sitting during his basketball games. She was also the “Fun Aunt” taking nieces and nephews for food and shopping excursions. She showed up at their events also. She also spent hours in emergency rooms with family members over the years, making sure they were cared for to her standards. When the family or a friend had a medical question or concern, she was only a phone call away. She was also a great sister and friend.

Dara is survived by her beloved son, Bren Schnabel. She is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews, Kian Schnabel (Jayme), Christopher Henderson (Victoria), Jonathan Henderson, Ryne Schnabel, Elle Schnabel, and Rory Schnabel. She is also survived by her sister Jana Schnabel (Philip Mayo), her brother Douglas Schnabel (Maria), sister Lisa (Schnabel) Henderson, sister Cari Schnabel, and brother, Kyle Schnabel. She also survived by her aunt, Wanda Hayward and numerous cousins co-workers and friends.

Services will be at Gardner Nazarene Church at 1pm Saturday September 30 2017. There will be a gathering at the church afterwards.