Vernon V. Schraeder

Vernon V. Schraeder, 88, longtime resident of Jetmore, KS, died Thursday, February 2, 2006, at Manor of the Plains in Dodge City, KS. He was born Christmas eve, 1917, near Burdett in Pawnee County, KS, the first child of Frank and Clara (Pivonka) Schraeder. He was married to Mildred "Mickey" (Rice) Schraeder for 50 years. She preceded him in death in 1997. Vernon served 20 years as Hodgeman County (KS) Commissioner (1957-1977) and one year as president of the County Commissioners Association of Kansas (1962). Governor Robert Docking appointed him in 1969 to the Governor's Commission on Criminal Administration (1969-1975), and Governor John Carlin appointed him to the Kansas Wheat Commission for three two-year terms (1981-1987). For the last two terms, he was also on the board of U.S. Wheat Associates. Vernon entered military service in 1940 as an Army Air Force Aviation Cadet, and flew 25 missions with the 8th Air Force over Europe as bombardier on a B-17 Flying Fortress. Receiving the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross, he advanced to the rank of Captain and was released in 1945. Prior to entering the military, he had graduated from Rozel (KS) High School and Fort Hays (KS) State University. Recently, he served as an active member of the FHSU Endowment Association's Executive Committee. Mr. and Mrs. Schraeder were married in 1947, and moved from Larned, Ks, to a farm south of Jetmore. They lived there for 49 years before moving to the Manor of the Plains in Dodge City. Two accomplishments as County Commissioner of which Vernon was most proud were the building of the Hodgeman County Health Center and the building of the Hodgeman County Swimming Pool. Vernon was a Director of the Hanston (KS) State Bank for 21 years. He was appointed to the Jetmore Board of Education for one year. He was a member of the Jetmore American Legion Post, Jetmore Lions Club, and Jetmore United Methodist Church. After his retirement from daily farming activities, he delivered Meals on Wheels in Jetmore for many years. Vernon was also an active volunteer after moving to Dodge City. He was a member of the Dodge City United Methodist Church, the Dodge City Lions Club, the Manor of the Plains Residents Council, the Boot Hill Coffee Club, and volunteered for the Hospice of the Prairie. Survivors include his son Jim Schraeder and wife Meredith of Kansas City, KS; his daughter Jo Coltrain and husband Terry of Wichita, KS; his youngest brother Wilbur Schraeder and wife Virginia of Jetmore; and a sister-in-law Ora Mae Schraeder of Dodge City and Olather, Ks. He has four grandchildren - James Coltrain, a doctoral student at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL; Tim Coltrain, a recent graduate of Kansas State University; Laura Schraeder, a junior at Drake University, Des Moines, IA; and Andrew Coltrain, a sophmore at Kansas State University, as well as many nieces and nephews. His younger brother Gail of Dodge City preceded him in death by five months. Funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday at United Methodist Church, Jetmore, with Rev. Mitch Reece, Barney Korbelik, CLP presiding. Friends may call from 9a.m. to 8p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Beckwith Funeral Home, Jetmore. Graveside service will be Monday, at 2:30 p.m. at the Larned Cemetery, Larned, with Military Graveside Rites. Memorials may be sent to the Hospice of the Prairie, Inc., in care of Beckwith Funeral Home, Box 663 Jetmore, Ks 67854 This notice may be viewed and personal condolences may be left for the family at www.beckwithfuneralhome.com. Vernon V. Schraeder