Elsie Irene Schroeder

DOWS - Elsie I. Rockow-Schroeder, 87, of Dows, formerly of Garner died Saturday, June 16, 2012 at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond. Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Friday, June 22nd at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner with Rev. Dale Glawatz officiating. Burial will be in Concord Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 P.M., Thursday at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. 4th St., Garner and will continue one hour prior to services at the church. Elsie Irene Rockow-Schroeder, the daughter of James and Minnie (Ehler) Ryan, was born March 11, 1925 at Rockwell City. She graduated from Rowan High School in 1943 and then moved to Des Moines where she worked as a bookkeeper for Baker Shoe Store and the Butterfly Coffee Shop. She later returned to Dows and was employed at the Clarion Super Valu grocery store. On February 14, 1948 she was married to Harley Rockow at the Lutheran parsonage in Dows and for two years they farmed south of Williams and then at Ellsworth. In 1960, they moved to Garner and continued farming. In September of 1991 Harley passed away and then Elsie moved into Garner in 1992. On November 13, 1999 she was married to Wilb...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

Schroeder at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner. They made their home in Dows. Elsie enjoyed spending time with her family and was an avid walker. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner where she served as the chairman of the funeral luncheon committee for many years. Elsie is survived by her husband, Wilbur, of Dows; four children, Greg (Lila) Rockow of Iowa City, Dennis (Kathy) Rockow of Gatesville, TX, Marcia Hamilton of Markleeville, NV and Gary (Sharon) Rockow of Klemme; eight grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; thirteen step-great-grandchildren; two step-sons, Steven (Nancy) Schroeder of Estherville and Douglas (Sherry) Schroeder of Swisher; five step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Marge Ryan of Belmond and Vernie Ryan of Belmond; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Harley; and her brothers and sisters, Edward, Harold, Walter, Alice, Ethel, Glen, Jean, Darlene and Darrell.