Marilyn R. Schroeder

Marilyn Ruth Schroeder (Nee Mitchell), from Oconomowoc, WI, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. Marilyn is survived by her loving husband Thomas of 59 years; her children Sarah (Peter) Ross, Joseph (Karen) Schroeder, Ruth (Patrick) O'Donnell, Peter (Colleen) Schroeder; her daughter-in-law Jean (the late John Schroeder) McClure; her grandchildren Jacob Schroeder, Matthew (Meghan) Ross, Mark Ross, Mitchell Schroeder, Helene Schroeder, Olive Schroeder and Cleo Schroeder; her sister Arlene (Paul) Herrig and many family and friends. Marilyn is preceded in death by her son John Schroeder; her parents Joseph and Alma Mitchell; her sister Dorothy (Orlyn) Wathier and her Godmother Sister Mary Wilfred Kress. Marilyn was born March 29, 1932 in Key West, Iowa, the first daughter of Alma & Joseph Mitchell. There she started her adventurous life with dear sisters Dorothy and Arlene. Marilyn attended St. Joseph’s grade school and St. Columbkille’s high school where she played piano and basketball. After high school Marilyn worked at the Dubuque Packing Company earning money to put herself through St. Mary’s nursing school in Rochester, MN. Here she met lifelong friends and experienced working along-side the Mayo brothers in surgery. Marilyn returned to Dubuque working at Mercy Hospital where she met medical student Tom Schroeder. Soon they were married and she continued her adventure as a navy officer’s wife living in San Diego, Seattle, Milwaukee and finally settling in Oconomowoc, WI. Along the way Marilyn and Tom raised five children teaching them the value of learning through doing alongside their parents. Summers were spent vegetable gardening, canning and enjoying Lake LaBelle. Marilyn finished up her Bachelor of Nursing at the University of St. Francis of Joliet Illinois. Marilyn taught sewing for 4H, was a “lunch room lady” and Nurse’s room volunteer at St. Jerome as well as participating on other parish committees. Marilyn completed her Teaching Naturalist training at Riveredge Nature Center and spent many years leading programs supporting conservation by awakening curiosity and exploring connections to nature. After Tom retired, they traveled and enjoyed time with friends and visiting family. Trips included rafting through Grand Canyon, cross-country skiing in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, UP Michigan, hiking trips through Alaska and Glacier Park. In later years she and Tom chose more relaxing trips through Europe and South America learning the history, art, culture and cuisine. A Funeral Mass and visitation will be held for Marilyn at St. Jerome Catholic Church (1001 S. Silver Lake, Oconomowoc, WI) on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 11am. A visitation will be held starting at 9 am with burial to follow the Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jerome Catholic Church, The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 2360 Carter Road, Dubuque Iowa, and AngelsGrace Hospice, W359N7430 Brown Street, Oconomowoc. The family would like to thank all the dear friends who brought comfort, companionship, prayers and smiles the last leg of her journey. Additional thanks to the caring staff and volunteers at AngelsGrace Hospice.