Reverend Mr. William (Bill) Schroeder entered heaven on Monday, April 27, 2020. He was strong in his faith, loved his wife Janis Schroeder of 60 years, and was key in raising 6 strong children. He always ministered to everyone around him and was especially proud of his extended family at Mercy Hospital and at Mercy West Lakes Hospital where he worked as the Chaplain until he retired in 2015.
Deacon Bill died at Mercy West Lakes Hospital after a battle with COVID 19. He was born in Arcadia, IA to Lawrence and Evelyn Schroeder at the family farmhouse on October 16, 1935. He completed a high school education in Arcadia. He studied to be a priest but God had other plans for him. He met his wife at The Starline Ballroom in Carroll, IA. A year and a half later, the couple was married on June 6, 1959.
He worked for Contel of Iowa for 30 years. Working for Contel prompted him to move the family many times, but he always found a way to serve his community and especially his church where he was a 4th Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. Reverend Mr. Bill Schroeder was ordained in June of 1988. He also served in the National Guard, was a volunteer fire fighter, a city council member, and taught first aid.
Bill loved his family deeply and made sure that strong values were instilled upon them. He spent a lot of time camping and fishing with his family, teaching them what it meant to be a family. He also loved to garden and work with wood. Bill modeled his faith for his family on a daily basis. His calling was to minister to others and serve God. He took this calling seriously in all aspects of his life, especially during his time as Chaplain for Mercy Hospital and Mercy West Lakes Hospital.
Deacon Bill was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers Leo and Larry, 4 sisters Betty, Fay, Phyllis and Bonnie and 1 grandchild Johnathon Deno.
Bill cherished his family and is survived by his wife, Daughter Dawn Deno (David) in Bryan, TX, daughter Nici Davis (Pat) in Cedar Rapids, IA, son Tony Schroeder (Louise) in Ludlow, VT, daughter Lucia Riesberg (Dean) in Carroll, IA, son Bill Schroeder(Kelli) in Kansas City, MO, and daughter Lori Frericks (Doug) in West Des Moines, IA. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law Wayne Heithoff and Ray Fortune, 13 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and multiple nieces and nephews.
Due to current coronavirus conditions, a celebration of life service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family. Please send memorials to Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home.
