DeForest – Kenneth H. Schroeder, age 78, passed away on Monday, December 21, 2020 at Wm S. Middleton Veterans Hospital from Covid-19. He was born on June 30, 1942 in Baraboo to Edmund and Viola (Breunig) Schroeder and was raised on their family farm near Columbus. He married his High School sweetheart, Ann Rebholz, on September 21, 1963 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Bristol. They eventually settled near DeForest.
Ken spent his life doing what he loved, farming. It was his passion. He was a smart businessman who embraced new methods and technologies throughout his farming career. He won Wisconsin’s Outstanding Young Farmer award in 1973. He was a gentle man who quietly, but deeply, loved his family. His devotion to his “Annie” was unmatched. When she passed in November 2019 his heart broke. His heart is whole, once again, now that they’ve been reunited.
He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1997. He fought that horrible disease for 23 years as it slowly took away the ability to do his life’s passion and his limitations required him phase out of farming. In his heart, he continued farming right up to the end.
He is survived by his 5 children: Amy (Todd) Hausen of Stoughton, Beth (Steve) Schuster of DeForest, Mark (Kim) Schroeder of DeForest, Matt (Amanda) Schroeder of Portland, Oregon, Michael (Hannah Zale) Schroeder of New York, NY; ten grandchildren: Alyssa (Jeff) Woodstock, Ryan and Jakob Hausen, Seth Barden, Ryan Schuster, Skyeler, Trey and Trysten Schroeder, Emmanuelle and Kenny Schroeder; two great-grandchildren: Connor and Emily Woodstock; two brothers: Dick (Marilyn) Schroeder, Gary (Bridget Murray) Schroeder; one sister: Roxanne (Gary) Weihert; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Ann; his parents; and his sister Sharon.
Due to COVID, a Private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Bristol with Father Jared Holzhuter presiding. Burial will be at the church cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff at the VA Hospital’s COVID unit for their kind and loving care of our dad/grandpa over the past few weeks. Thank you also to Dr. Laura Buyan-Dent and staff at UW Neurology Clinic for the many years of kind and compassionate care. We also would like to thank Hyland Crossing for the kind care they provided Dad in the last year, especially Andrelle, McKenna and Amanda. In lieu of flowers, Ken’s family requests that memorials be made the Parkinson’s Foundation. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23
Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home
www.newcomerfh.com
Sun Prairie, WI 608-837-5400