Kenneth H. Schroeder

Kenneth H. Schroeder, age 72, passed away on Thursday, October 4, 2007 at Appleton Medical Center. Ken was born in Appleton on July 30, 1935, son of the late Lloyd and Lucille (Ashman) Schroeder. When Ken was a young child, his family moved to Milwaukee. He attended schools there, and at the age of seventeen, the family returned to Appleton and Ken graduated from Appleton High School in 1953. On December 29, 1958, he married Ruth Loewenhagen at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Appleton. The couple shared forty-eight wonderful years together. For forty-three years, Ken had been employed at Appleton Papers, retiring in 1996. He was a member of the United Steel Workers Union Local 2-469 and the Appleton Papers Quarter-Century Club. For the past four years, God’s grace allowed Ken to courageously battle pancreatitis, lung cancer, and kidney disease. Ken was proud to have served his country for five years as a member of the Wisconsin National Guard, and as a member of the United States Army for two years. He enjoyed deer hunting and fishing, but especially looked forward to the annual spring walleye run on the Wolf River. Ken and Ruth enjoyed time in the north woods, and for twelve years the couple owned a trailer on Rollingstone Lake, near Crandon. Many will also remember Ken as a faithful fan of the Green Bay Packers, beginning back with the Glory Years of the 1960’s. Ken had a special trademark: his caps. He had a large collection of many different types and styles of caps, and seldom did you see Ken out and about without one on his head!

Ken is survived by his wife: Ruth Schroeder of Appleton; a son: Rick Schroeder of Neenah; two daughters: Debbie (Wally) Giles of Appleton and Grand Dog Rudy Giles (who was a great friend to Ken) and Ann (Bob) Sanders of Oshkosh; two brothers: Wayne (Sophia) Schroeder of Salt Lake City and Ronald Schroeder of Appleton; a sister: Patricia (Dennis) Obermeier of Appleton; two brothers-in-law: Wilfred (Mary) Loewenhagen of Appleton and Joseph Vander Wielen of Appleton; and sisters-in-law: Arlene Loewenhagen of Kaukauna and Joyce Loewenhagen of Hortonville. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law Earl (Ilamae) Loewenhagen, Edward Loewenhagen, and Dale Loewenhagen; sisters-in-law Shirley Vander Wielen and Betty (Robert) Heegeman, and by an aunt Viola (Wilmer) Saiberlich.

The Christian Funeral for Ken will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 8, 2007 at ST. PAUL EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, 302 N. Morrison Street in Appleton with Rev. Kenneth Frey and Rev. Ralph Waack officiating. Entombment will follow at Highland Memorial Park with full military honors. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM and again at the church on Monday from 10:00 AM until the hour of the service. A memorial fund in Ken’s name is being established for St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church.

Dad, We love you very much and you will be deeply missed. Not only were you a good hunting and fishing partner, but you had a great love of the outdoors, and taught us all to love nature and to respect all of God‚Äôs creation. We will always remember the family outings we enjoyed so much. You may be gone from our lives, but you will be forever in our hearts. ‚ÄúSee you later.‚Äù — Rick, Debbie, & Ann

Ken, Forty-eight years together sounds like a long time, but it passed like a dream, and too soon it was over. You will always remain in my heart until we meet again in our heavenly home. Thanks for all of the memories. –Ruth

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the many caregivers who showed such love and compassion during Ken’s illnesses. They include the staff at Dialysis Care, everyone at AMC, and Dr. McKee for his longtime friendship, guidance, and professionalism. We will never forget your kindness.

To my family and friends: Be cheerful, not remorseful. My life has been blessed with richness beyond monetary rewards. My wife and children are the greatest treasures a man could ever have. My religion is truthful, and to my remaining relatives, what a great pleasure it has been to have known you. – Ken