Robert Schroeder, 87 of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2020 at Floyd Valley Hospital.

A Private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at All Saints Parish – St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars. Burial with the public invited will be at 9:45 a.m., Saturday, August 22, 2020 at St. Catherine's Cemetery in Oyens, Iowa. Military honors will be provided by the Wasmer American Legion Post 241 of Le Mars at the cemetery. Visitation (with no family present, social distancing and masks required) will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a rosary at 7:00 p.m., all on Friday, August 21 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Robert Joseph Schroeder was born on April 9, 1933 in Le Mars, Iowa to Clarence and Loretta (LaVelle) Schroeder. He was raised in Le Mars and attended Le Mars public schools. He graduated high school in 1951 and then attended Westmar College where he played football. In 1953, he enlisted in the United States Army Infantry and served overseas in Korea. Bob was honorably discharged in 1955, he came back to Le Mars and began working at Harry Reynold's Service Station, where he met his future wife. On August 23, 1958 he was united in marriage to Viola (Vi) Strobel at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars. They made their home in Le Mars and in 1960 Bob started his own plumbing & heating company. In later years he expanded his business to include the installation of underground lawn irrigation systems. After many years, he sold his businesses but never really stopped working.

Bob was a long time member of St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars where he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He would call bingo at St. James Church Wednesday nights and at many American Legion events. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Wasmer Post 241 and helped organize the monthly steak fry fundraisers at the Legion and was in charge of the kitchen for many years.

He was well known for the delicious soups/stews that he made and shared with many. His granddaughters say he made the best mashed potatoes and chocolate milkshakes. He was in charge of the Smorgasbord potato salad for 50+ years.  A few of the things he loved was to play cards, watch football, and spend time with family.  He really enjoyed traveling to Colorado to visit Vi's family. Bob was a practical joker and never met a child that attention, teasing, and renaming wasn't given. 'One liners' were his thing. He was a kind, generous man with a heart of gold.

His last memorable trip of a lifetime was May 15, 2018 on Mission 2 Midwest Honor Flight where his son, Mike, served as his guardian.

Bob is survived by his wife of 62 years, Vi; son, Mike (Nancy) Schroeder of Granger, IA; daughter, Terri Schroeder of Le Mars; granddaughters: Kristen (Matt) Miner and Keni (Tom) Tiernan both of Granger, IA; great-grandchildren: Brantley & Naomi Miner, and Aubree Tiernan all of Granger, IA; sisters-in-law: Carine Schroeder of Doon, IA and Beverly Strobel of Windsor, CO; and brothers-in-law: Arnold Strobel of Burlington, CO, Alvin Strobel of Burlington, CO, Art Strobel (Connie) of Bethune, CO, and Butch Strobel (Sandee) of Greeley, CO, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence & Loretta; father and mother-in-law, Albert & Lena Strobel; brother, Eugene Schroeder; sister, Mary and brother-in-law Herbert Montgomery; brother-in-law, Calvin Strobel; and sister-in-law, Barb (Alvin) Strobel.

He will be remembered as a fantastic husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend!

Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .