Schroeder, Arthur B. 1931-2009

SCHROEDER, ROLFES, WALKER

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/8/2009 at 13:02:51

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, June 8, 2009

Arthur B. Schroeder, 77, of Kingsley, died June 4, 2009 at the Kingsley Nursing and Rehab Center of complications from Parkinson's disease.

Arthur Barthel Schroeder was born Nov. 4, 1931, in rural Kingsley, the son of Herman and Bernadine (Rolfes) Schroeder. He attended country school in Henry Township, and graduated from Kingsley High School in 1951.

He marred Judith Walker on Feb. 8, 1955, in Le Mars. The couple had seven children.

Art was a lifelong farmer in Henry Township, raising crops and livestock. He sold Funk's G Seeds for many years from his home in rural Remsen. He was also a lifelong member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, in Kingsley, serving as a parish council member and Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He also did a brief term as a township trustee.

Art had a deep love of the land, and was innovative, a problem solver and a "master fixer." He once hooked two tractors together to pull a disk, garnering the looks of many who stopped along the road to watch. He enjoyed farm auctions, and was known for wearing his cap with the bill turned up. Art had a special way with his grandchildren, and once rode his bicycle through Kingsley when RAGBRAI came through.

Art farmed for 50 years before moving to Kingsley, and eventually to the Kingsley Nursing and Rehab Center.

Art is survived by his wife, Judy; children: Steven A. (and Jeanie) Schroeder of Kingsley; Jerry (and Kim) Schroeder of Kingsley; Janet Schroeder of Cherokee; Karen (and Dave) Schwaller of Milford; Jim (and Janet) Schroeder of Remsen; Lin (and Dave) Sly of Sioux City, and Tim (and Shannin) Schroeder of Magnolia, Ark.; grandchildren: Jenny (and Travis) Todd; Chris, Dan and Stephanie Schroeder; Nick (and Jennifer) Schroeder; Matt (and Cassiana Cope) Schroeder; Justin Schroeder; Shannon Schroeder; Emily, Doug and Dustin Schwaller; Amanda, Erin, April, Ben and Johanna Schroeder; Dana Sly, and Bailey and Emma Schroeder; and one great-grandchild- Jackie Todd. Art is also survived by one brother, Richard "Dick" (and Marilyn) Schroeder of Golden. Colo.; three sisters: Helen (and Bob) Hagan of Kingsley, JoAnn Doering of Alexandria, Minn. and Marge (and Pat) Bennett of Twin Peaks, Calif.; sister-in-law Martha (and Tom) Kohout of Alexandria, Minn., and brother-in-law, Don (and Billy) Walker of Centerport, N.Y.

He was preceded in death are his parents; sisters and their spouses, Rita and Walter Idlewine, and Shirley and Greg Kass, and one sister in infancy, Bernice Schroeder.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. today (Monday) at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Kingsley. Visitation was Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Burial was in St. Michael's Cemetery in Kingsley. Arrangements were under the direction of Rohde Funeral Home in Kingsley.

Casket bearers were his grandsons: Chris and Dan Schroeder, Nick, Matt and Justin Schroeder, Doug and Dustin Schwaller, and Ben Schroeder. Honorary casket bearers were Keith Harvey, Dennis Sitzmann, Wayne Stodden, Jerry Galles, John Emge, Vernon Gross, Martin Schriener and Brad Baier.