Violet O. Schroeder

Violet Odessa, daughter of Edwin M. and Anna M. (Hamann) Wenzel, was born January 3, 1921 on a farm south of Manilla in Shelby County, Iowa. She was baptized January 30, 1921 at Trinity Lutheran Church and confirmed on June 12, 1935, also at Trinity Lutheran Church. Her growing up years were spent on a farm one mile west of the Nishnabotna Cemetery where she helped her parents milk a few cows, feed the hogs and cattle. Violet attended K-8 grades at a country school near her home and graduated from Manilla High School in 1938.

Violet taught Sunday School, substitute taught in country school and started filling her hope chest. On January 20, 1943 Violet was united in marriage with Merle H Schroeder at Trinity Lutheran Church. This marriage was blessed with four children: Connie, Lynn, Carmen and Mark. The couple first lived on a farm west of Aspinwall. In 1945 they moved to a farm four miles north of Manilla, eventually purchasing that farm.

Violet loved all kinds of music, playing the piano and organ, taking pictures and collecting rocks from across the United States. She enjoyed going to dances and movies in the younger years. She was a long-time member of the Priscilla Guild of Trinity and enjoyed doing volunteer work. She was also a long-time member of the Women's Bowling League in Manilla. She loved the outdoors, planting flowers and sending lots of birthday cards. Violet also enjoyed all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, even sitting on the floor to play with them.

On Thursday, April 13, 2023, Violet passed away at Gracewell Eventide Care Center in Denison, Iowa, at the age of 102 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents Edwin and Anna Wenzel and her husband Merle H. Schroeder in 1997.

Violet is survived by her children: Connie (Bill) Natzke of Rochester, MN: Lynn and Mark of Manilla, and Carmen of Papillion, NE; Four grandchildren: Todd (Shannon) Natzke of Winona, MN; Sarah (Larry) Willmott of Rosemount, MN; Ryan (Kristin) Natzke of Madison, WI; Dean (Cindi) Edmunds of Omaha, NE; Twelve great-grandchildren: Joshua, Luke, Korban (Arielle), Hunter, Casey, Ella Natzke, Anna (Connor) Bechtel, Sam and Grace Willmott, Evan Natzke, Zachary and Shelby Edmunds; and Three great-great-grandchildren: Jayden, Axel and Avery Natzke.

Funeral Service was held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Manilla, Iowa.

Reverend Bill Natzke, Officiating.

Placing Of The Pall was Joshua Natzke and Anna Willmott.

Scripture Readings Psalm 103, Romans 8: 18, 28, 31-39 and John 10: 11-14, 27-30

Congregational Hymns "My Faith Looks Up to Thee" #702, "What a Friend We Have" #770, "Beautiful Savior" #537, Carolyn Kerkhoff, Organist

Casket Bearers were Todd and Shannon Natzke, Sarah and Larry Willmott and Ryan and Kristin Natzke.

Honorary Casket Bearers were Art Jones, Mark Segebart, Richard Scheuring, Wyatt Bandow and Jeff Sebring.

Place of Rest was held at Nishnabotna Cemetery, Manilla, Iowa.