Irene Schroeder

Irene H. "Fitzie" Schroeder, age 95 of Sartell and formerly of Melrose, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, January 8, 2018 at Country Manor Care Center in Sartell, Minnesota.

Visitation will be held Saturday, January 20th from10 to 11 a.m. at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. A memorial service will immediately follow officiated by Deacon Ernie Kociemba. Inurnment will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls at a later date.

Irene Helen Fitzgerald was born July 13, 1922 in Van Horne, Iowa to Joseph and Anne (Schallau) Fitzgerald. She graduated from Belle Plaine, Iowa High School in 1939. She received her teaching certificate and taught country school in Luzerne, Iowa. She later returned to Belle Plaine to work for her sister and brother-in-law. She was united in marriage to LaVerne "Gus" Schroeder October 27, 1949 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Belle Plaine, Iowa. The couple moved to Milbank, South Dakota, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and then to Melrose in 1966 where they lived for many years. She later went to live in St. Cloud with family members, and to Country Manor in 2016. She was a loving wife, homemaker, and mother, raising their three daughters. Fitzie was a daycare provider, worked at the American Legion, clerk at Kuhlmann Drug, and Foster Grandparent in the Melrose School District. Her greatest joy was the time spent with family. She treasured the moments with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved her pet Boxer dogs, baking, crafts, playing cards, bingo, garage sales, and visiting with friends.

Fitzie was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, American Legion Auxiliary Post 101, 40 & 8, and Melrose Red Hat's.

Fitzie is survived by her children, Stephanie (Neal) Gilbertson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Deb (Eddie) Jurek and Terri Leach of St. Cloud; grandchildren, Andrea Gilbertson, Becky (Chad) Timm, Lucas (Chris) Jurek, Hannah (Paul) Abraham, and John (Laura Larson-Cody) Leach; great-grandsons, Griffin and Hudson Jurek; sister, Ruth Squires of Belle Plaine, Iowa; many beloved nieces and nephews; and cherished family friend, Danny Bublitz of Melrose.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gus Schroeder on April 4, 2004; great-grandson, Ethan Timm; parents; brothers and sisters, Mae (Corwin) Miner, Bernice Baker, Donald (Millie) Fitzgerald, Agnes (Al) Oberreuter, Florence (Sam) Roudabush, John (Julia) Fitzgerald, Peggy (Len) Thys, Raphael "Butch" (Evelyn) Fitzgerald, Harold and Virgil Fitzgerald died in infancy; brother-in-law, Dick Squires; and son-in-law, Rick Leach.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Country Manor in Sartell, for the loving care they gave to our Mom.