Anna Catherine Bager Schroeter

Anna Catherine Bager Schroeter, the daughter of Martin K. and Mariane Bager Overgaard was born November 9, 1921 at her parents’ home near Wolbach, Nebraska and died June 12, 2012 at the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa at the age of 90 years, 7 months, and 3 days. Anna was baptized April 28, 1922 and confirmed April 25, 1935 at the Trinity Lutheran Church near Wolbach. She attended rural school “Central School” in Greeley County, Nebraska. When Anna was in her teens the family moved to the Exira area where Anna worked as a mother’s helper. On November 23, 1941, she was united in marriage to Harold Lewis Schroeter in Tarkio, Missouri. Four children: Carol, Doug, Verla and Neil were born to this union. They farmed in Audubon County for several years then sold their farm equipment and moved into Audubon in 1948. Later the family moved to Exira, Iowa. Anna was a homemaker for many years. Then when the children were older she worked at the Exira Cleaners for a short time. She then worked as a baker at the Exira Bakery and Café and later managed the business. Anna then worked at the Outreach Center in Exira where she helped with the fuel assistance program. The office was moved to Audubon where she worked until retirement. Anna and Harold enjoyed traveling and visiting relatives in Oregon, Texas, and California. Anna traveled to Denmark on two occasions. They lived in Exira then moved to Atlantic in December of 2005. Harold died July 12, 2009. Anna later moved to the Heritage House. Anna was a member of the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira. Anna spent her entire life caring for her family, friends and neighbors. Preceding her in death in addition to her husband Harold; were her parents; her sisters and brothers: Rita and Orrin Schnell; Eileen and Clyde Hansen; Eben and Rose Overgaard; Arne and Frances Overgaard; Andrew Overgaard; and John Overgaard; her in-laws: Fred A. and Pearl Schroeter; and her brothers-in-law: Everett Pope and Elmer Pedersen. Survivors include her children: Carol and husband Pastor Stephen Gronseth of Atlantic, Iowa; Doug and wife Sherri Schroeter of McKinney, Texas; Verla and husband Ben Heath of Atlantic; Neil and wife Lavonne Schroeter of Brayton, Iowa; her grandchildren: Wade and wife Roxanne Nelson of Harlan, Iowa; Christopher and wife Wendy Nelson of LeRoy, Illinois; John and wife Erin Nelson of Downs, Illinois; Aaron and wife Jeannie Schroeter of Celina, Texas; Troy Schroeter of McKinney; Stacey and husband Blake Dickerson of Celina; Stephanie Wells and fiancé Brad Bates both of Celina; Noele Tyson of Atlantic; Dawn Hepler and fiancé George Dvorak of Atlantic; Jeremy Heath of Atlantic; Leslie and husband Matt Irwin of Omaha, Nebraska; Trevor Schroeter and wife Rebecca of Portland, Oregon; her step grandchildren: Steve Gronseth of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Greg Gronseth and Rosanne Gronseth both of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Judi Gronseth of St. Paul, Minnesota; 36 Great Grandchildren; 4 Great-great Grandchildren; her sister Marian Pedersen of Atlantic; her sister-in-law: Frieda Pope of Oregon City, Oregon; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira.

Visitation:
The family will be present to meet with friends Monday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira.