Schroeder, Clifford E. 1925 - 2021

SCHROEDER, ANDERSON, ERNST, KAPLAN, OLSON, MARNETT, AMON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 11/4/2022 at 14:09:58

Dr. Clifford E. Schroeder, age 98, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah.

Elaine Schroeder, age 98, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2022, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah.

A joint Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Decorah Covenant Church (115 Washington St, Decorah, IA 52101) with Rev. Jack Miller presiding. Burial will be at Forest Hills Cemetery in Owatonna, MN, at a later date.

Clifford Eugene Schroeder was born on May 25th, 1923, in Clinton, Iowa to Benjamin and Miriam Schroeder. Cliff married his true love Elaine Anderson in September of 1944.

Cliff grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In his youth he enjoyed bicycling, fishing, model airplanes, and visits to the local YMCA. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1941. He continued his education at Anderson College in Anderson Indiana, finishing his undergraduate work in Theological studies. He then attended Wayne State in Detroit, Michigan where he completed a Master's Degree in Child Guidance. He furthered his studies at Michigan State in East Lansing where he earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 1956. Between finishing his Master's Degree and beginning his Doctoral studies, Cliff started his career as a Therapist at The State Mental Hospital in Traverse City, Michigan. After completing his Ph.D he went on to practice Clinical Psychology in East Lansing, Michigan for five years. In 1961 he relocated to Owatonna, Minnesota where he worked as a Clinical Psychologist and ultimately became Program Director at The Luther Youngdahl Human Relations Center. Later on, Cliff started a successful private practice that continued until his retirement. During this time, he published a weekly column for the local newspaper “Learning for Living”.

In his free time, Cliff enjoyed bee keeping, candle making, and especially wood turning. His skills at the wood lathe produced many gifts, practical items, and display pieces. He was involved in a wood turning club which he would occasionally host in his wood shop. At age 27 Cliff acquired his private pilot's license. He logged many hours in the air, flying solo or with family members and friends. Notable trips included a round trip flight from Owatonna to Seattle Washington and another to Mackinaw Island. While in Owatonna, Cliff was active in The Exchange Club and Rotary Club.

Cliff is survived by his two children Suzanne (John) Ernst and Dan (Jennifer) Schroeder, grandchildren Shane (Kierra) Kaplan and Alysia (Aaron) Olson, and special and dear friend Virginia (Jack) Miller. He will also be deeply missed by his second family John (Jan) Marnett and Judy Amon. He was preceded in death by parents Benjamin and Miriam Schroeder, infant daughter Jana Lee, one brother, three sisters, and second family member David Amon. Cliff passed away 14 months prior to his beloved wife Elaine.

Elaine Anderson Schroeder was born November 21st, 1923, in Owatonna, Minnesota to LeRoy and Hazel Anderson. At a youth retreat she met and ultimately married her true love Clifford Eugene Schroeder in September of 1944. He preceded her in death in 2021.

Elaine was educated in the Owatonna public school system and graduated from Owatonna High School. She continued her education at Anderson College in Indiana where she was the Secretary to the Dean of Women while studying Christian education.

She held various jobs throughout her life, working at the Owatonna Public Library, Federated Insurance, and the candy counter at Spurgeons Department Store. She also enjoyed volunteer work, which included the local hospital gift shop “The Pink Pantry”. During her marriage she helped with administrative tasks for her husband Cliff, a Clinical Psychologist. Most nights the droning voice of the dictating machine could be heard behind the clatter of her black manual typewriter.

Elaine had a strong Christian faith and was very active at First Baptist Church in Owatonna. She loved teaching Sunday School and sharing her musical talents in the choir, as a pianist, and as director of the Womens Bell Choir. She enjoyed bible study groups and, being the devout Christian she was, openly shared her faith and witnessed that faith to those around her.

Her love of music extended well beyond the church setting as she played piano and sang for public events, funerals, and weddings. She was also known for her unique whistling technique, which she frequently incorporated into her performances. Elaine often joked that if push came to shove, she could be hired at a local supper club to play piano and sing, with a big brandy snifter placed on the piano for gratuities.

In her free time, Elaine enjoyed needlepoint, flower gardening, and experiencing backyard wild life, feeding birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. She also enjoyed being a member of The Women’s Club of Owatonna and The Alta Society.

First and foremost, Elaine’s greatest joy was as a dedicated wife, homemaker, mother, and grandmother.

Elaine is survived by her two children Suzanne (John) Ernst and Dan (Jennifer) Schroeder, grandchildren Shane (Kierra) Kaplan and Alysia (Aaron) Olson, and special and dear friend Virginia (Jack) Miller. She will also be deeply missed by her second family John (Jan) Marnett and Judy Amon. She was preceded in death by parents LeRoy and Hazel Anderson, husband Clifford Schroeder, infant daughter Jana Lee, and second family member David Amon.

Source: Helms Funeral Home database