John Schroeder, age 69 of Odebolt, IA, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll, IA. John Aloysius Schroeder was born on July 25, 1951, to parents Clayton and Mary (Blum) Schroeder at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll, IA. He grew up in rural Odebolt and was baptized and confirmed in the catholic faith at St. Martin’s Catholic Church. John attended grade school at St. Martin’s Catholic and graduated from Odebolt Arthur High School with the class of 1969. After graduation, he attended Iowa State University and graduated with a degree in Ag Business. He then enlisted in the army reserves and after military training, he returned to Odebolt, married the love of his life and worked for Schroeder Farms.
On November 4, 1972, John was united in marriage to Donna Rae Thevenot at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt, where they became lifelong members. This union was blessed with five children: Jenny, Ryan, Greg, Abby, and Jeff. On July 5th, 1973, at the age of 21, John had a life-changing accident when working with cattle and sustained a head
injury. Against all odds, many prayers were answered and he was able to return home after a two-month hospitalization. With the love and support of his wife, family, and friends, John made an extraordinary recovery. John’s uncle Norman would pick him up every day to go to the farm and family was convinced that this was the best therapy on his road to recovery.
Although his accident left him with some physical disabilities and challenges, there seemed to be nothing that John couldn’t do. John and Donna made their home on a farm outside of Odebolt for 44 years where John continued to feed cattle, ride and trade horses, and raise his five children. John appreciated the value of the dollar and the family would joke that our trash had the potential to become his treasure. One of his daily activities in retirement was to drive to each of his boy’s farms to collect all of the cans. He
would then take them to Lake View, go immediately to his mom’s in Wall Lake and count his earnings! Needless to say, his three boys made sure that his daily stops were a success!
John and Donna also enjoyed traveling together with family and friends and made many lasting memories in Branson, Texas, Jamaica, Cancun, and many more. John was a man of tremendous faith and one of the kindest men you could ever meet. John never met a stranger, and if you were one, you weren’t one for long. John’s greatest joy was being able to tell people about his five children and 23 grandchildren. He was so proud of them and their accomplishments.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Donna Schroeder of Odebolt, IA; children: Jennifer (Matt) Hustedt of Omaha, NE, Ryan (Cherity) Schroeder of Odebolt, IA, Frank Gregory (Jeana) Schroeder of Odebolt, IA, Abby (Tyson) Veit of Odebolt, IA, and Jeff (Mandy) Schroeder of Odebolt, IA; grandchildren: Kennedy, Gabby, Garrett,
Lizzi, and Mia Hustedt of Omaha, NE, Isabelle, Alexandra, Olivia, and Jack Schroeder of Odebolt, IA, Camden, Jaron, Presley, Kason, and Frankie Schroeder of Odebolt, IA, Maggie, Charlie, Libbie, and Wendie Veit of Odebolt, IA, Teagan, Kiersten, Beckett, and Riley Schroeder of Odebolt, IA; Mother: Mary Schroeder of Wall Lake, IA; Brothers: Tom (Diane) Schroeder of Wall Lake, IA, and Richard (Melody) Schroeder of Odebolt, IA; sisters: Linda (Warren) Bush of Wall Lake, IA, Margaret Ann (Rick) Powers of Gladstone, MO, Cathy (Lyn) Middleton of Sedalia, MO, and Lisa (Rod) Drost of Wall Lake, IA; many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
John was preceded in death by his father Clayton Schroeder, granddaughter Maci Schroeder, and father and mother-in-law, Chester and Lorraine Thevenot.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at the St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt, IA, with Father Richard Ball and Deacon Butch Stone officiating. Burial will take place at the Wall Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m., Vigil service at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wall Lake. Farber & Otteman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.