Anita Hattie Schroeder, age 90, of rural Weyauwega, passed away on March 7, 2014 at Bethany Home in Waupaca.
Anita was the youngest daughter of Henry and Martha Seelig, born on February 5, 1924. She married Alton (Bud) Schroeder at the young age of 18 on February 14, 1942 and resided on their family farm in the Town of Royalton, Baldwin Mills, Weyauwega, Wisconsin. Anita faced many adversities during her long life. Her father, Henry, died in a farm accident when she was only four years old. As a young girl, and after completing elementary school, she worked for families as a housekeeper in Madison, to help earn money for her family. Shortly after giving birth to two sons, she contracted the devastating disease of polio. She fought and conquered this disease, but after months of hospitalization and several operations, she was left severely handicapped. Yet, she was still able to enjoy going to dances at Bear Lake Resort, take family vacation trips across the western United States, attend card parties at Baldwin Mills rural elementary school and raise her two boys. Then, in 1963, devastation struck again when her oldest son, Garry, died after a rather routine surgery. Anita was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Baldwin Mills. Despite her severe handicap and weak condition, she would always make a special effort to attend services at what she always referred to as “the country church”. She loved to play cards with friends on a weekly basis. She especially enjoyed rides in the fall to see the beauty of the colorful fall trees. She also looked forward to annual trips to the family farm during deer hunting. Anita will always be remembered for the strength she displayed despite her severe handicaps.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Glenn (Connie) Schroeder, Neenah; grandson, Chad Schroeder, Neenah; granddaughter and husband, Kara (Brian) White, Menomonee Falls and two great-grandchildren, Jack and Anna White. Anita was preceded in death by her husband, her oldest son, two sisters, Dorothy Domke and Gertrude Draheim and very close family friend Ernie Hanson. The family would like to give a special thanks to Mike and Cindy Koehler for their frequent visits with Anita and to Joanne Samack for being a very special friend, for giving Anita rides on Wednesdays and to church, and for being with Anita during her final hours. Anita was especially proud that Joanne joined St. John’s and that she may have had some role in that decision. We would also like to thank all the staff at Bethany Home for the special care given to Anita.
The funeral for Anita will be held on Saturday, March 15 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Baldwin Mills with Rev. Roger Nielsen officiating. Burial will be at Baldwin Mills Cemetery in the spring. A visitation for Anita will be held directly at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Anita’s name at St. John’s Lutheran Church. The Cline-Hanson-Dahlke Funeral Home in Weyauwega is serving the family.