Rodney Schroeter

Rodney G. Schroeter, 85, of Audubon and formerly of Brayton and Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Saturday, July 4, 2020, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa.

Rodney Gene Schroeter, the son of Louis C. and Harriett Elaine (Winther) Schroeter, was born June 25, 1935, on a farm west of Audubon, Iowa. He attended the Lone Tree rural school west of Audubon and later attended Audubon Community Schools, graduating in the class of 1953.

On January 24, 1958, he was united in marriage to Shirley Jane Hansen, the daughter of Martin Emil and Anna Marie (Nelson) Hansen at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church, west of Audubon. Three children were born to this union.

Rodney enlisted into the U.S. Army on March 3, 1958. While stationed in South Korea, he managed a military equipment parts shop. On March 2, 1960, he was honorably discharged at the rank of Specialist 4. He then enrolled in the U.S. Army Corps (Reserve) until March 2, 1964.

Following his service to his country, Rodney and Shirley lived in Atlantic, Iowa, where he was employed doing carpentry work. In 1964, they moved to a farm located one-mile northwest of Brayton, Iowa. While living on the farm, Rodney grew field crops, milked dairy cows, and oversaw a host of farm animals including his children’s Shetland ponies, dogs, cats, geese, turkeys, and chickens.

He completed a Veterans Farm Management program through Western Iowa Community College in March 1975.

Once retired from farming, Rodney and Shirley moved to their home in Atlantic, where they regularly met local friends for an early morning walk, followed by breakfast or coffee. They also continued socializing with Audubon County friends. Rodney enjoyed having family and friends visit, both for the conversations and for the tasty foods that went with the occasion, including Shirley’s peach and coconut cream pies. For many years, Rodney and Shirley enjoyed special friendships with those in their monthly card party club and they also enjoyed vacationing with family at Okoboji and Spirit Lake.

While health permitted, Rodney volunteered at the Cass County Hospital, assisting individuals who relied on wheelchairs throughout the hospital. He was grateful for the opportunity to attend an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. alongside fellow veterans.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirley; an infant brother; a granddaughter, Meredith Fellows, who died in infancy; and a nephew, David Schroeter.

Rodney is survived by a son, Timmie Schroeter of Brayton, IA; two daughters, Susan (Michael) Smith of Brayton, IA and Amy (J.D.) Fellows of West Des Moines, IA; grandchildren, Bethany Langer, Benjamin Smith, Allison Johnston, Andrew Smith, Joseph Smith, Anna Smith, Thomas Smith, Morgan Fellows, Rebecca Schroeter, Hunter Fellows and Cal Fellows; eight great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and numerous friends.

Visitation with family will be from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 11, 2020 at Hockenberry Family Care in Audubon, Iowa.

CDC guidelines will be enforced. Per family’s request, a facial mask will be enforced in attendance of the services.

There will be a private family graveside service at Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon, Iowa.

Military honors by the American Legion Post 120, VFW Post 4119 and the Iowa Military Funeral Honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to be used towards a gift to the staff of the Friendship Home.

Hockenberry Family Care in Audubon, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.