Ruth Adele Schroeder

Ruth Adele Simmons Schroeder, 100, of DeWitt, Iowa, died Monday, September 23, 2019 at Wheatland Manor in Wheatland.

Ruth Adele Simmons was born February 27, 1919, in Northwood, Iowa, to the late Mabel Von Krogh Simmons and John J. Simmons. She graduated from Northwood High School in 1937 and taught in northern and central Iowa country schools while attending Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. While teaching in Davenport, Iowa, she met Malcolm L. Schroeder, shortly after he returned from serving in the navy during World War II. They were married on August 16, 1947. They later moved to DeWitt, where they lived and raised their family of three daughters. Malcolm preceded Ruth in death on April 11, 2011. When her daughters started school, Ruth returned to teaching at Welton School, first for Welton School District, then for Central DeWitt School District. She taught third grade in Welton for twenty-two years, retiring in 1982. During retirement, she and Malcolm delivered cars for D&D Chevrolet, provided mobile meals delivery, spent part of each winter in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and traveled, including an around-the-world trip. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, the former Pierian Club, and a 72-year member of Chapter BG, P.E.O. Sisterhood. She enjoyed reading, playing bridge, and traveling.

Surviving are her daughters, Mary Schroeder (Dean) Barber of Keswick, Virginia, Katherine Schroeder Campbell of Westfield, Indiana, and Allison Schroeder LaFevers of DeWitt. Also surviving are her grandchildren Anne Barber (Steven) Davis of Vienna, Austria, Leah Del Rosario of Westfield, Indiana, Rachael Campbell of Talkeetna, Alaska, Seth (Amy) Barry of West Plains, Missouri, and Matthew (Callie) Barry of West Plains, Missouri. Great-grandchildren include Malcolm Davis, Raquel Del Rosario, Chandler and Indie-Ava Barry, and Jade and Chase Barry, and one great-great-granddaughter, Zoe Kuhn.

Also preceding her in death were siblings, John B. Simmons, Miriam Simmons Gowdy, and Norton K. Simmons and sons-in-law Jerry LaFevers and Ronald Campbell.

The funeral will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 27, 2019, at Grace Lutheran Church, officiated by the Rev. Eric Obermann. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt. The family will receive relatives and friends one hour before the service at the church.

Memorials may be designated to Grace Lutheran Church or the Frances Banta Waggoner Community Library, DeWitt.

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