Irene W. Schroeder
Irene W. Schroeder, 101, 607 E. Sixth,
died Monday (March 13, 2000) at her home in Newton.
She was born Feb. 24, 1899, in Belle
Plaine to A. B. and Jennie S. (Shaffer) Widick. She married Dr. W.F.
Schroeder in 1926. He preceded her in death in 1939.
She spent most of her childhood in
Emporia. She received a bachelor of arts degree from College of
Emporia in 1920, and a bachelor of science degree in library science
from Emporia State University in 1940. Following her graduation from
College of Emporia she taught English for a year in a private school
in Kyoto, Japan. After returning to the United States, she taught for
a year at Coldwater High School and taught Latin at Newton High
School and also at Lansing, Mich.
After her husband's death, she returned
to school to prepare for her work as a librarian. She was employed at
Newton Public Library from 1940 until her retirement in 1970. She
served first as children's librarian and subsequently as head
librarian. In 1957 she was named Woman of the Year in the Newton
Kansan. During and after her tenture at the library she gave many
book reviews to groups in and around Newton.
She was a member of American Library
Association, Reading Circle, P.E.O. and Round Table in Newton. She
also was a member of United Church of Christ in Newton for more than
70 years.
In 1972, she was Centennial Queen,
presiding over the events celebrating the founding of Newton and
Harvey County 100 years earlier.
She was a an avid bridge player. She
taught bridge for the Newton Recreation Commission for several years
after her retirement. She and her friend, the late Dorothy
Steinkirchner, won numerous regional duplicate bridge tournaments.
She continued to play regularly until the last year of her life.
Survivors include: two sons, Dr.
Fredric A. Schroeder of Englewood, Colo., and Dr. W. Widick Schroeder
of Libertyville, Ill.; one sister, Margaret Widick of Atchinson; six
grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m.
Saturday at United Church of Christ in Newton with the Rev. Christian
Tirre officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery.
Memorials have been established with
Newton Public Library or Bethel College Library in care of Petersen
Funeral Home.
