Gerald Harley Schroeder

GERALD “JERRY” H. SCHROEDER, age 86 of Waseca died on Friday, December 22, 2023 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Waseca after a long battle with bone marrow cancer.

Born on June 10, 1937 in Waseca, Minnesota, he was the son of Louis and May (Abel) Schroeder. Jerry graduated from the Southern School of Agriculture in Waseca in 1955 and went on to serve in the US Army. Following his discharge, he returned to Waseca and met Beverly Michel on a blind date. They were married on May 28, 1966 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Morristown. They went on to make their home on the family farm where he was raised in Waseca. Together, they raised their four kids. Jerry enjoyed many occupations including airplane mechanic, Herters, Birdseye, railroad, EF Johnson, Corchrans and after retirement, Caseys General Store. His favorite post-retirement activity was volunteering at Farm America. Giving tours to the school kids, working the haunted corn maze, and sharing knowledge of farming history.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, reading, and traveling in the US.  Jerry was also a Ham Radio operator, served on the Waseca CERT Team, and volunteered as a trained storm spotter for Waseca County until he was 82 years old. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca where he served as an elder and president.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Beverly of Waseca; children, Brian (Becky Neuman) Schroeder of Mankato, Sherri (Moses) Emedo of Rochester, Dawn Schroeder of Plainview, and Cindy Gilmore of Waseca; one grandson, Andrew (Madison) Gilmore; and two great-grandchildren, Audrey and Harper Gilmore. He is also survived by siblings, Joanne Bauman of Waseca; Judy (Carlyle) Hagen of Ellendale; brothers-in-law. Alan (Carol) Michel Sr. and John (Gail) Michel; and many nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by his parents; in-law, John and Helen Michel, Mildred Michel; brother-in-law, Jim Bauman; and sisters-in-law, Marcia Michel and Barbara (Ed) Monson.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 from 4-7 PM at the State Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca with Rev. Michael Grannis and Rev. Armand Boehme officiating. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.

A special thank you to Mary at Mayo Clinic Waseca, the staff at Colony Court, and the staff at the Andreas Cancer Center in Mankato