Ruth Anna Schroeder's Obituary
Ruth Schroeder was able to celebrate her 100th year of life ' an important goal — with her family prior to her death on Sunday, March 25, in Herrin, Illinois, after a brief illness. A recent resident of Anna and Marion, Ruth resided in Decatur for 45 years with her husband, Theodore W. Schroeder.
Ruth was born on June 22, 1912, in Alvo, Nebraska. She was one of four daughters of Rudy and Blanche Kuehn: Alice, Ruth, MaryBelle and Eunice.
She graduated with a bachelors degree in education from University of Nebraska in 1935. She taught country school in Nebraska for a year while husband Ted finished his engineering degree at the university. In 1936, they left Nebraska to start their life together in Schenectady, New York, where Ted worked for General Electric. Ted's career took them to Davenport and Des Moines, Iowa, and finally to Decatur, where they resided from 1952 until 1996.
Ruth joined the workforce in the 1960s teaching English and directing plays at Macon High School; she was also a substitute teacher (who no one could mess with) in the Decatur Public Schools. Ruth and Ted were very active at First United Methodist Church where she was a faithful choir member. She loved music, reading, traveling, birds, plants and flowers. She played golf and bridge and the piano. Through the years, Ruth was the engineer of a non-stop social life that included a wide circle of friends and relatives. We believe they are having a potluck in heaven ' with everyone enjoying her sense of humor.
Ruth was preceded in death by Ted, who died in 1997, sisters Frances Kuehn and Alice M. Kuehn, and her parents. She is survived by her sisters and brothers-in-law Mary and Wally Cates of Imperial Beach, CA, and Eunice and Reuben Stock of Ashland, Nebraska; her children Theodore R. (and Margaret) Schroeder of Kewadin, MI, Frances A. Schroeder (and Lucy Garrett) of Denver, CO, John W. (and Julia) Schroeder of Marion, IL and Patricia R. Schroeder (and Dixie Griffin) of Houston, TX. Grandchildren include Sara Molenda, Elena Bobrowski, Justice Mitchell, John C. Schroeder, Julia Curry, Theodore A. Schroeder; step grandchildren Casey Faro and Carla Haines. This generation has produced 15 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her special caregiver, Annmarie Stein.
Services will be held Wednesday, March 28 in Decatur. Family and friends will gather at Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home at 12:30 p.m. for a brief graveside service at 1 p.m. A memorial service and reception will follow at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.
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