Earl Schroeder

Schroeder, Earl

Earl Robert Schroeder, 84, of De Pere, went home to be with God on Sunday, July 21, 2013 embraced by the love of his family. He was the son of Harold and Lillian (Kapitz) Schroeder. Earl was born on September 30, 1928 in Manitowoc. After serving his country in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he completed his degree in zoology. He married the love of his life Priscilla Brilliant on August 23, 1952 at St. Boniface Church in Manitowoc. Earl worked as a field representative for the Social Security Administration for thirty years before his retirement.

Earl was passionate about science and loved teaching others, as well as learning new things. His legacy remains in the hearts of those who experienced his faith in God, love of learning, enjoyment of the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, and his unrelenting work ethic. He served as a Scout Master in Oshkosh and was chairman of the Pickerel and Crane Lakes District. Earl was a member of the Knights of Columbus and he expressed his faith at St. Mary Catholic Church as a CCD instructor, FOCCUS couple facilitator, Eucharistic minister, and a lector.

Storytelling was one of Earl's many gifts and was especially appreciated by his grandchildren. Boisterous laughter would often follow any retelling of an adventure with Grandma saying, "Oh, Earl!" and lovingly patting his arm as they both reminisced about the memories they shared. These stories would be told with a twinkle in Grandpa's eye. Grandpa Earl's hands were rarely idle, showing us how to hunt and fish, wood-carve, and garden. He built the cottage at Crane Lake that housed many memories of crackling wood fires and family gatherings. Grandpa loved being around people and would often meet friends to golf, or play cards ¬- especially bridge. He was always ready to learn something new through research and reading. If anything ever needed to be fixed, Grandpa was always happy to bring it down to his workshop to fix it.

Earl will be missed by his loving wife, Priscilla, children: Mark (Mona) Schroeder, and their children, Tanya and Brian; Nanette (Carl) Mongin and their children, Michael, Joseph, Luke, Steven, and Sarah; Jayette Reynolds (Scott Le Captain) and her children, Megan and Adrienne; Clay (Janell) Schroeder and his son, Joshua; Catherine (Alfred) Mora and their daughter, Ariana; Laura (Jim) Van Hefty and their children, Sam, Hannah, William, Olivia, and Rachel; and Kim (Edmund) Lobato and their children, Sophia, Isabella, and Nicholas. He is further survived by great-grandchildren: Robert, Jason, Sophia, Maryanne, Elizabeth, Teresa, and Christopher; brothers and sisters: Donald (Germaine) Schroeder, Harold (Shirley) Schroeder, Jr., and John (Nancy) Schroeder.

Earl was preceded in death by his children: Francis, Luke, and Sarah; his nine grandchildren; his great granddaughter; and his three brothers, Wayne, Richard, Walton, and Carol, sister-in-law.

Family and friends may visit at St. Mary Catholic Parish, 4805 Sportsman Drive, Ledgeview, on Friday, July 26, from 9:00am until 10:45am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am on Friday, with the Rev. Richard Getchel officiating. Cotter Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family. Online memorials at www.cotterfuneralhome.com.

A special thanks to Unity Hospice, Bellin Palliative Care and to family and friends who have supported us during this time.