Gerald Schroeder

Gerald H. Schroeder, age 79, of Atwater, died Wednesday evening, March 20, at Bethesda Heritage Center in Willmar.

Memorial services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 25, at St. John Lutheran Church in Atwater. Interment will be at Oakside Cemetery near Atwater at a later date. Military Honors will be provided by Austin F. Hanscom American Legion Post 167 of Willmar. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Sunday, March 24, at St. John Lutheran Church and one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Atwater Funeral Home.

Gerald Herbert Schroeder was born February 23, 1934 at the family home near Kandiyohi, Minnesota, the son of Herbert and Irene (Minks) Schroeder. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church and attended St. John Parochial School. On March 24, 1956 he married Pearl Edna Hegstrom. He served stateside in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959. He then worked as a truck driver for the Atwater Creamery for eleven years. In 1963, Gerald and Pearl purchased a farm on Sperry Lake, where Gerald farmed agriculture and dairy. After retiring from farming, Gerald continued to raise sheep and pigs as a hobby. Gerald was a life long member of St. John Lutheran Church and was a past board member for the St. John Parochial School. He was also a member of the American Legion Post in Willmar. He enjoyed 4-wheeling, fishing, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren, especially going out to eat with them.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Pearl Schroeder of Atwater; his five children, Tammy Schroeder (and Mike McHugh) of Villard, Terri (and Ozzie) Osborn of Aberdeen, SD, Brent (and Jayne) Schroeder of Hayward, WI, Michelle (and James) Hentges of Sauk Centre and Annette (and Jerry) Degner of Willmar; ten grandchildren, Alissa (and Ash) DeBoer, Miriah (and Mike) Cassidy, Damon (and Ashley) Schroeder, Grady Schroeder, Zachary Osborn, Luke Anfinson, Megan (and Derek) Noor, Bryce Hentges, Erika Hentges and Anna Hentges; forster son, Brian "Petey" O-Leary of Indiana, six great-grandchildren, Gayge, Arivia, Annika, Molly, Addilyn and Norah; two brothers, Merle Schroeder of St. Peter and Gary (and Gloria) Schroeder of Kandiyohi; five sisters, LaVonne (and Gordon) Gronli of Spicer, Iris Johnson of Spicer, Sharon (and Charlie) Zaeska of Atwater, Garnette (and Gary) Bronson of Atwater and Betty Lou (and Floyd) Kragenbring of Atwater; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Wayne Schroeder; a granddaughter, Sarah; and a brother-in-law, Fred Hegstrom.