Lloyd Stanley Schroeder
Lloyd Stanley Schroeder,
86, died Friday, April 5, 2013, at Kidron Bethel Village in North
Newton.
Lloyd was born on July 6, 1926, to John
P. and Marie Goertz Schroeder of rural Marion County. His parents
were among the founding members of the Goessel Mennonite Church, and
Lloyd was baptized into that congregation in 1943. He graduated from
Goessel High School in 1944.
Lloyd received his draft notice
immediately after high school, and served two years in Civilian
Public Service (CPS) in camps in South Dakota, Montana and Colorado.
He took up farming on his return, and on April 11, 1950, married
Marlene Schroeder of Goessel. They worked side by side together for
the rest of their married lives, raising grain and poultry, and in
the 1970s, they founded their Pine Creek Farm Christmas tree
business, which continues today.
Lloyd was a hard-working participant
and capable leader in a variety of community and church
organizations. While their children were growing up, he and Marlene
served as 4-H community leaders for nine years. When they began
growing Christmas trees, he served on the board of the Kansas
Christmas Tree Growers Association.
Lloyd was a trustee and treasurer of
the Goessel Mennonite Church, and served as both a board member and
later board president for the Mennonite Heritage Museum in Goessel.
He was someone who always answered the call, no matter what.
In the midst of a life dominated by
work, Lloyd found time for other interests, as well. He was an avid
bird feeder, and installed houses for different species at various
places around his farm. Blessed with a natural ear and a fine bass
voice, he sang in numerous church and community choirs. He especially
loved the Kansas Mennonite Men’s Choir, where he was a regular for
over two decades.
After Marlene’s death in 2007, Lloyd
moved to Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton, where he spent the
remaining years of his life. There he made many new friends who
appreciated his sociability and quiet sense of humor.
Also preceding him in death was a son,
Ja Schroeder, and brother, Rick Schroeder.
He is survived by a brother, Ken of
Hillsboro; daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda and Stewart Ramsey of
Lenexa, and their children, Katherine and Austin; daughter and
son-in-law, Jana Schroeder and Lauro Medina of Tepoztlan, Mexico, and
their son, Julian; and daughter and son-in-law, Ardie and Wynn
Goering of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
A visitation for Lloyd will be at the
Miller-Ott Funeral Home in Goessel from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 9,
with the family in attendance from 6 to 8 p.m. Following a private
burial, the memorial service will be on Wednesday, April 10, 3 p.m.
at the Bethel College Mennonite Church.
Memorial gifts are suggested to the
Bethel College Mennonite Church or the Mennonite Heritage and
Agricultural Museum in Goessel, in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home,
303 E. Main, Goessel, KS 67053.
