Kenneth E. Schroeder
Kenneth E. Schroeder
April 7, 1928 – May 20, 2018
Kenneth Eugene Schroeder of Deshler, the son of Rudolph and Ida (Heimsoth) Schroeder was born April 7, 1928, at home near Deshler. He departed this life May 20, 2018, at Parkview Haven Nursing Home in Deshler at the age of 90 years.
The Lord blessed the life of Ken Schroeder, first by creating it on April 7, 1928, then by sustaining it for 90 years, and finally by bring him to his eternal home on May 20, 2018. Ken was born at home near Deshler and experienced the miracle of baptism on April 15, 1928, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kiowa. He was born into a Christian family, attended a rural Lutheran elementary school, known as the School at Kiowa. He attended Deshler High School for three years and completed his senior year at Concordia High School in Seward in 1946.
In July 1946, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California, for two years, where he was a member of the football and track teams and served in the Seaman Guards.
After being honorably discharged in 1948, Ken worked for a year while recuperating from a knee injury suffered in the service.
In the fall of 1949, he entered the University of Nebraska as a walk-on and became a varsity member of the football team. After graduating, Ken accepted a position at Plattsmouth High School as football and track coach and teaching Biology. This was followed by a four-year coaching career at Concordia Teachers College in Seward.
In 1950, he met his future wife, Norma. They were married Aug. 17, 1952. This union was blessed with the birth of five children. In 1960, Ken and his young family moved back to the farm near Deshler to fulfill his ultimate dream of bringing up his family with the lifestyle and work ethic of farm life. They also did custom harvesting for 30 years.
Ken’s first love was sports. He also loved music, singing in choir, quartets, a community chorus and barbershop chorus. He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Deshler and served on the boards of education of the Nebraska District, Lutheran Church, St. Peter Lutheran School and Deshler Public School. He also served as chairman of the St. Peter Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran congregations and was a past member of the Lutheran Laymen’s League and the Deshler Lions Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 62 years, Norma; two sons, Greg and Glen; and sisters, Maxine Reeves and husband Bill and June Grueber and husband Marv.
He is survived by sons, Doug and wife Pam of Lafayette, Indiana, and David and Stephanie of McDonough, Georgia; daughter, Susan Keim and husband Jerry of Lincoln; daughter-in-law, Vicki Schroeder of Omaha; five grandchildren, Sharin Schroeder and husband John Chen of Taiwan, Kylie (Keim) Kubicek and husband Mitch of Milford, Jody (Keim) Steinbach and husband Joe of Lincoln, Paul
Schroeder and wife Wendi of Battle Ground, Indiana, and Luke Schroeder and wife Ruth of the Philippines; 18 great-grandchildren, Kellan and Maeli Kubicek, Kate and Jack Steinbach, Joshua, Moses, Elijah, Matthew, Peace, Zachariah and Grace Schroeder, Yahiya, Alasa and Da’ud Hadasa, Gideon Schroeder and Hope and Gabriel Chen; brother-in-law, Art Schmid of Menlo Park, California; sister-in-law, Carolyn Harder and husband Doug of Englewood, Colorado; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Following Ken’s wishes, he was directly buried and a memorial service was held May 26, 2018, at St. Peter Church in Deshler, with the Rev. Brian Francik officiating and Joy Wolfe as organist. The grandchildren provided special music, “Jesus Loves Me,” and the congregation sang “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” “Great is Thy Faithfulness” and “Softly and Tenderly.” There will be no visitation. Burial was in the church cemetery on May 21. A military service was provided by the Thayer County American Legion. Memorial contributions may be made to the family via Susan Keim at 9001 S. 55th Street, Lincoln, NE 68516. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.krollfh.com.
