Donald Merrell Schroeder

Donald Merrell Schroeder, the youngest of 12 children of John Henry and Alta Marine (Gibson) Schroeder, was born September 26, 1924 at Bartlett, Iowa. His family moved to Nebraska when he was about two years old. They lived near Broken Bow, Arnold, Dunning and Ansley. They moved to Iowa in 1941, to a farm north of Pacific Junction, then near Folsom, and later near Bedford. In 1943, they moved to a farm west of Malvern, Iowa, where Don helped his father farm until September 1944, when he enlistment in the United States Army. Don was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, then shipped to the Philippines, where he was in combat on Letye and Cebu Islands. He was wounded in action on Cebu Island on April 12, 1945, hospitalized, and returned to duty. When the war ended, Don was sent to Japan for police duty. He was discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant on June 20, 1946. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Philippines Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Star, AFT Ribbon and Victory Ribbon. While riding a horse one day, Don had noticed a pretty girl riding a bicycle and made the comment, "she's going to be my wife someday". Don and Doris Darlene Hatfield were ...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

ried on August 29, 1946 in Hiawatha, Kansas and their marriage was blessed with two children, Dennis Merrell and Linda Kay. They farmed briefly near Malvern before moving to live in town. Don began work at C. A. Swanson's Mill in Malvern and although the name of business changed a few times through the years, he stayed at the same place as a sales representative, until he retired in 1989, from what was then, Standard Chemical. That same year, Don also retired from selling Pioneer Seed Corn, which he started in 1959, turning the business over to his son. Don was a member of the Malvern United Methodist Church. He enjoyed fishing and camping. Family vacations were spent at their summer home, at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, with their children and their families. He dearly loved spending time with his wife, family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, who were his pride and joy. Don was a loving husband, a wonderful father, a doting grandfather and great grandfather, and a good friend to all who knew him. Don and Doris were married 64 years when Doris passed away on December 10, 2010. Soon after, Don moved to Linnwood Estates in Glenwood, Iowa and enjoyed visits from his family and friends. Don passed away on December 7, 2012 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the age of 88 years, 2 months, and 11 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife Doris; brothers, Glen and Phillip, who died at birth, Henry, Lawrence, Robert, and Lloyd Schroeder; and sisters, Margaret Gift, Clara Keyser, and Leona Eret. Don is survived by his son Denny Schroeder and wife Vicki; daughter Linda Williams and husband Larry, all of Malvern; six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren, Ryan Schroeder and wife Carrie and their sons, Ethan and Mason of Papillion, NE, Brad Williams and his daughters, Emma and Megan of Malvern, Amy Sharp and husband Nik and their daughter Mya of Farmington, MN, Beth Schroeder of Omaha, NE, Jay Williams and wife Spencer and their children, Ali, Kyler, and Brynn of Malvern, and Jeff Williams and wife Sarah and their sons, Jackson, Kayden, and Benson of Malvern; sisters, Fern Hall of Arnold, NE, and Gayle Godsey of Glenwood; nieces and nephews; other relatives; and a host of friends. A memorial fund has been established. Military Honors and interment in Malvern Cemetery. Loess Hills Funeral Home of Malvern in charge of arrangements.