Deacon Allan A. Schroeder
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On March 7, 2019 @ 3:24 pm In 2019,Obituaries | 5 Comments
Deacon Allan A. Schroeder, age 82, formerly of Shakopee, MN, entered eternal peace on Ash Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at his daughter’s home in Brainerd, MN. The night before he passed, Deacon Al expressed what a gift Ash Wednesday is in our lives. It is a day of salvation and what a blessing, it would be if he could go home on this special day. With receiving the Eucharist just moments before, Deacon Al smiled and peacefully was welcomed home by his Lord and Savior.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, March 19, at 11 am, with a time of gathering starting at 9:30 am, all at the Church of St. Mark (The Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne) 350 Atwood Street South, Shakopee. Deacon Al will be laid to rest with his beloved wife at the Shakopee Catholic Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Shakopee Veterans Honor Guard.
Back in the day, the Mohrbacher’s and Willems’ families founded and established businesses in the small rural town of Cologne, MN. It was in this same town, Allan Anthony was born on December 23, 1937, to parents Herbert and Armella (Willems) Schroeder. The second of five children, Al has many fond memories growing up with siblings, William, Charles, Diane and Ruth Ann. Life for Al was simple. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of growing up above his Grandpa’s bar, which allowed him to visit, at any time. At the age of 12, Al recalls becoming his own man. He began working for pay on the relative’s farms and at other various jobs. One unique endeavor was working as a bee keeper.
Al graduated from Norwood High School in 1955. He enlisted in the United States Navy, where he proudly served for 4 years. Life for Al became enriched when he met his soul mate, Eve Claire Mercure, through mutual friends. It was love at first sight for them! With God present in their lives, Al and Eve married on August 20, 1960, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, in Springfield, MA. From this union, they welcomed four precious children, Catherine, Michael, Deborah and Karen. First living in Florida, Al moved his family back to Cologne in 1963 and to Shakopee in 1976. In 1988, he and Eve moved to Chaska and then back to Shakopee. Al also lived in Pleasanton, TX and spent the last 3 years in Brainerd, with his daughter, Deborah.
Al was a gifted man, who could do most anything. His career spanned as a milkman, welder, plumber and electrician. Al spent most of his profession working at Rahr Malting as a plant engineer for 30 plus years. He was dedicated to his work and family, sometimes working three jobs, to assure they were being taken care of. Al’s greatest accomplishment was being able to serve God. He was ordained a Deacon in 1993, serving as the first full time Deacon in the Archdiocese to parishes in Waconia, Shakopee and Victoria.
Deacon Al had many passions. Through the years, he enjoyed fishing, frying them up and sharing the blessings with others. Saturday’s were always special times with his children, swimming, riding motorcycles, and having intimate conversations. Deacon Al’s life was once again enriched becoming a grandpa and great-grandpa. He and Eve spoiled them, with endless bowls of ice cream and candy. Each one had their own special connection and relationship with grandpa. Deacon Al enjoyed spending winters in Virginia with his son and family too.
From a little boy on, Deacon Al opened his life to God. It was Him, that taught him great values and morals. Deacon Al was a man of great faith and loved to share the faith with others, especially his family. They would practice their faith together praying the Rosary, reading from the Bible and attending mass. Deacon Al and Eve were the true example and testament of a loving husband and wife. They were so in love and respected each other. Deacon’s faith in God was tested in 1999, when Eve passed.
Deacon Al is survived by children, Michael (Heidi) Schroeder, Deborah (Kevin) Edwards, Karen (Kelly) Morris; grandchildren, Daniel, Christian (Kylie), Free (Allison), Thaddeus, Mariah (Justin), Ingrid, Alexandra (Tony), Edison (Sarah), Nicholas (Jessica), Misty (Jeff), Joseph, Benjamin, Gabriel, Emily (Jesrin,) Rebekah (Mike): 22 great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Tim Hower; sisters, Diane Thoele, Ruth Ann Jorgensen; sister-in-law, Laura Schroeder; other relatives and friends.
Those welcoming Deacon Al in enternal peace is his wife, Eve; daughter, Catherine Hower; parents, Herbert and Armella; brothers, Bill Schroeder and Charlie (Sue) Schroeder.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation proudly served and cared for the Schroeder family.
Offer Condolence for the family of Deacon Allan A. Schroeder
Print Obituary & Condolences Condolences for the family of “Deacon Allan A. Schroeder”
My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends. May you find some comfort in the promise found in Revelation 21: 3-4 and 1 Thessalonians 4:14. Knowing that there is an opportunity to be reunited with loved ones.
I have extremely fond memories of both Al and Eve during formation; both were faith filled, eager to learn, and progressive thinkers — besides being kind and compassionate. May the spirit of God guide you forward with the loss of beloved Al.
Extending sympathy and prayers to the Schroeder family with the loss of your beautiful father Al. Working with your parents while they were in diaconate formation brings fond memories of two loving and spirit filled people, wanting to serve the Lord in any way possible. The glint of humor in Al’s eye was another delightful side
he so frequently shared. Masses will be offered for him in the weeks ahead. God bless you Al, you have finally rejoined your beloved Eve.
It was a great joy and honor to have Al as Deacon at St, Mark’s parish while I was pastor there. It was Eve and Al who for years organized and led our pre-marriage workshop, in which their love and experience in marriage and family helped so many couples. It was a joy to be close to many of his children and grandchildren. His devotion to St. Joseph mirrored his desire to be a good and holy husband and father. May God bless their heavenly reunion . May memories of him and her remain with their loved ones and bless them in the years ahead. My prayers are for all of his loved ones.
Click here to print.
Article printed from Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation: https://www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
URL to article: https://www.ballardsunderfuneral.com/deacon-allan-a-schroeder/
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2015 Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation. All rights reserved.
Debbie and Family: At the news of the death of Al all I could think of was he and Eve, your dear blessed mother, are now together forever. You have always been there for both of them. May happier days comfort you as you mourn. I will pray for you and for them.