Lila Schroeder

Lila was born on August 18, 1930 on the family farm near Hawick, Minnesota in Kandiyohi County, to Kristine (Olson) and Arndt Nelson. The youngest of six children, she attended country school through the eighth grade and the East Irving Mission Church, where she made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as a youngster. Lila helped with chores at home which included milking cows and tending the chickens and ducks, to name but a few. It was on the farm that she developed her skills in the kitchen, in the garden and her love of needlework, all of which she honed throughout her lifetime. On February 13, 1948 she was married to Arthur B. Schroeder of rural Paynesville, and to this union three children were born. The family resided in the Minnesota towns of Spring Valley, Paynesville, St. Paul, Maplewood and Center City before she retired with Art to Lincoln in 1990. Lila was a devoted mother and homemaker but also held full-time employment outside the home most of her married life, including a 32-year career at the Gillette Company (formerly Toni Company) in St. Paul. It was not at all unusual to find her volunteering in the kitchen of her local church for countless potlucks, picnics, weddings and funerals. Following retirement she actually took a job in the kitchen at nearby Camp Shamineau. Whether baking her famous sugar cookies for family and friends or churning out breads and desserts for the campers and staff at Shamineau, everyone enjoyed her culinary skills. Lila’s needlework creations were admired and appreciated by all who were recipients of her loving work. Those busy fingers turned out socks, mittens, hats, scarves, sweaters, dish towels, dish rags, afghans, doilies, runners and table cloths. She slowed down after her move to Edgewood Manor and her last project, a baby blanket for her great-grandchild, lay on top of her cedar chest, almost completed, when she succumbed to the effects of a stroke on April 6.

Lila is survived by her sons Michael (Judy) of Eden Prairie, Richard of Shoreview and Thomas (Maggie) of Minneapolis; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Art (2007); three brothers, Arnold, Carl and Kermit; and two sisters, Agnes and Ruth. She is greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.