Rose Mary Schroeder

Rose Mary Schroeder, 76, of Waite Park, passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at the Sterling Park Health Care Center. Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 20th at 1:00 pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Rose Mary Schroeder was born on February 23, 1949, to Eilt (Bob) and Florence (Tomes) Schroeder in Montevideo, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City, Minnesota. She remained active in the church and enjoyed being a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher.

She attended country school in Maynard, Minnesota and enrolled during third grade at Sacred Heart Public Schools. Being outgoing and friendly, Rose Mary made many lifelong friendships during her school years and was active in many extra-curricular activities in high school. She was a member of and officer in many organizations including FHA, Library Club, Declam, Student Council, Band, One-Act play, Annual staff and Newspaper staff. She also was a Homecoming queen candidate, senior class president, and co-chairman of the State Public Relations Committee.

 Following graduation, Rose Mary attended St. Cloud State College and, later, trained in Montessori Education in Minneapolis. She completed her BA degree in Elementary Education at Southwest Minnesota State College in Marshall, Minnesota. She taught in Minnesota, South Dakota, the Territory of American Samoa, and Arizona. Except for a short time with special needs teen students, 'Miss Rose Mary' taught Kindergarten. With her innovative, creative and fun style, Rose Mary impacted many children and their families. This is her legacy.

During retirement, she enjoyed going to the casino with her mother, brother, niece, and best friend, Beth, with whom she traveled to Arizona on vacations.

Rose Mary is preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Sandra, Kathleen and LeRoy. She is survived by her siblings, Lynn (Scott) Kiesling and Keith Schroeder and by her favorite people in the world, her niece and nephews: Ivan, Wayne, Eric and Dawn Odegard; Roger and Justin Skrukrud; and Adam Kiesling and their children along with many beloved aunts and cousins.