Schroeder, Emma Loewen (1920-2010)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2010 Feb 15 p. 9

Birth date: 1920 Apr 25

text of obituary:

EMMA LOEWEN SCHROEDER

Emma Loewen Schroeder, 89, died Jan. 8, 2010, in Inman, Kan. She was born on April 25, 1920, in Steinbach, Man., the fourth daughter of seven children of Maria Ratzlaff and Isaac T. Loewen.

On Sept. 4, 1964, she married David J. Schroeder of Moundridge.

She attended school in Nebraska and Steinbach before joining Mennonite Central Committee. She began overseas work in England in 1945 and continued with the refugee resettlement programs in Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Kiel, Germany; Belgium and England.

She attended Mennonite Brethren Bible College in Winnipeg and received her bachelor’s degree from Tabor College while working as secretary to the president. She received her master of social work degree from the University of Nebraska in 1964 and began her career as a federal social worker at the Eagle Butte Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

In 1964 she married widower David J. Schroeder and settled on the family farm near Moundridge. She continued her social work career, first at Prairie View mental health center in Newton and then at the Mental Health Institute in Hutchinson, retiring in 1985.

She and David supported the Mennonite Brethren church and Tabor College and helped many others financially and spiritually. She was always willing to listen to people and give counsel. In 1984 they moved to Buhler and opened Nine Gables Bed and Breakfast in their home. She continued to host guests until age 85.

Survivors include her husband of 45 years, David J. Schroeder; a stepson, Duane Schroeder and his wife, Lois, of Orinda, Calif.; a stepdaughter, Katherine Marshall and her husband, Harley, of Moundridge; three sisters, Anna Reimer, Elsie Bergen and her husband, Jake, and Irene Neufeld and her husband, Abe; a sister-in-law, Mary Loewen; five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Buhler Mennonite Brethren Church. Burial was in the Buhler Municipal Cemetery.