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Dorathy E. Schroeder Obituary – 7/25/2013


Dorathy Edna (Karels) Schroeder, age 85, of New Germany, died Thursday, July 25, 2013, at St. Mary’s Care Center in Winsted.

She was born Dec. 18, 1927, in Winsted Township, McLeod County, the daughter of Walter and Martha (Roepke) Karels. Dorathy was baptized as an infant Jan. 3, 1928; and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth March 29, 1942, both by the Rev. W. L. Ernst at St. John Lutheran Church in Hollywood.

Dorathy grew up on the farm. She walked to school with the neighbor boy, through the woods, to a country school near New Germany. Dorathy’s first language was German.

She also attended Watertown High School.

Dorathy met the love of her life when she started writing and sending letters to a gentleman serving in the Army during World War II. She was united in marriage to that gentleman, Emmert Schroeder, May 16, 1947, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie.

Dorathy and Emmert lived with Dorathy’s parents for four years, and then rented and purchased their own farm north of New Germany, which they made their home. Their marriage was blessed with three daughters, Joan, LaVonne, and Sherry, and they were married for more than 66 years.

In addition to being a loving wife, mother, and homemaker, Dorathy was a farm wife. She could drive every tractor on the farm, and was always the designated driver when it came to baling hay. Dorathy loved raising the farm animals, though the calves were her specialty and she took great pride in tending to them.

After they sold the cows on the farm, Dorathy cleaned homes in the metropolitan area.

She was a member at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, where she taught Sunday school.

Dorathy enjoyed gardening, and would can and freeze her treasures from the garden. Someone once said of her garden that she had enough to feed the whole county.

Dorathy also loved quilting, and made quilts for all of her children and grandchildren to treasure.

She especially cherished the time spent with her family and friends.

Dorathy is survived by her husband, Emmert Schroeder of New Germany; daughters Joan Holmes and her husband, Jack, of Elk River, and LaVonne Johnson and her husband, Sparky, of New Germany; son-in-law Dan Teich of Underwood; grandchildren Adam Holmes and his wife, Anna, Allison Risdal and her husband, Russ, Andy Holmes and his wife, Jackie, Holly Davis and her husband, Justin, Josh Johnson, and Collin Teich; and great-grandchildren Hugo, Walter, and Dwight Holmes, Reese and Owen Risdal, Wyatt and Sawyer Holmes, and Graham and Hannah Davis; sisters-in-law Verona Tenneyson, and Bernice Kruschke; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Martha Karels; and a daughter, Sherry Teich.

Funeral services took place Sunday, July 28 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, followed by interment in the church cemetery. The Rev. Eric Nelson officiated at the service, and Marsha Christenson was the organist. Congregational hymns were “How Great Thou Art,” “Beautiful Savior,” and “On Eagle’s Wings.”

Casket bearers were Adam Holmes, Allison Risdal, Andy Holmes, Holly Davis, Josh Johnson, and Collin Teich.

Arrangements were by the Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel of Lester Prairie. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com; click on Obituaries/Guest Book.

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