Maris Jolene (Miller) Schroeder

Maris Schroeder

Obituary

Maris Jolene (Miller) Schroeder was born Aug. 16, 1940, in Harper to Freeman James Miller and Odena Clarice (Yoder) Miller of Crystal Springs. Maris attended church as a young girl with her parents and younger brother, Edwin. It was there Maris received Christ, was baptized and joined the Crystal Springs Mennonite Church.

Maris graduated from Attica High School in 1958 and then attended Bethel College. During the summers, she worked at Hesston Corporation in the office. This is where she met the young man that would become her soulmate.

Maris was married June 30, 1961, to Donald James Schroeder at the Crystal Springs Mennonite Church. It was an extremely hot day in June, with no air conditioning in the church, but they didn't care. The couple made their home at a farm they purchased in rural McPherson County. Between working full time, and helping on the farm, two children came along - Stacey Jolene and Kerry James.

Maris enjoyed music very much during her life, from singing in church as a little girl to being a part of the "Melody Messengers" and singing with the "Sweet Adelines." Almost every evening there was a melody coming from the piano in the Schroeder home.

Family was very important and there were numerous summer vacations to Colorado and Branson, Missouri, to get the family together for quality time. Extended family reunions were also high on the importance list. The best times were spent with the family. The grandkids and great-grandkids always brought a smile to her face and a twinkle to her eye.

In the last couple of years, Maris' mind was sharp, but her physical body could not overcome health complications from Sjogren's, which slowly took her home, going to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday (Oct. 1, 2018).

Maris is survived by her devoted husband, Donald of Hesston; a daughter, Stacey and husband Ronald Mumaw of Hesston; a son, Kerry and wife Donica of Harper; brother, Edwin Miller and wife Carol of Kalona, Iowa; five grandchildren: Michael Mumaw (Mariah Foley), Cequinda Mead (Shelby Mead), Jeff Mumaw, Jason Schroeder, Weston Schroeder and Kenton Schroeder; and four great-granddaughters: Abbigail, Aubrey, Adeline and Annabelle Mead.

Maris was preceded in death by her parents.

Maris will be greatly missed by her family and many friends she left behind. We praise God for her life and testimony.

Services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 6, 2018) at Garden Community Church, rural Hesston, with burial to follow. Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday (Oct. 5, 2018), with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m., at Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Hesston.

Memorials may be made to the church in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home.