Obituaries

Elsie Schroeder, 94, passed on September 5, 2023, at Aegis of Fremont with her family surrounding her. Elsie was born in Berwyn, IL to Hedwig and George Hampe on May 27, 1929. She was the last surviving family member of her immediate family.

Elsie attended St. John’s Lutheran School in Forest Park, IL and Proviso High School in Maywood, IL. She completed her schooling by attending night school and working days in a bakery in Oak Park, IL.

Elsie met her husband, Raymond Schroeder in a roller rink in the Chicago area. They regularly danced on roller skates as well as had many dates doing photo shoots for weddings. They were married in September 1948 at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Forest Park, IL.

Ray and Elsie decided they could build a house together. They had plans drawn up and started building their house in Medinah, IL in 1953. They did most of the construction themselves. The house was a work in progress for many years. Elsie was a wonderful housewife and mother of three. The family attend St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, in Itasca, IL.

Elsie enjoyed so many things, painting and arts were on the top of the list with others including stained glass, knitting, embroidery, sewing, baking, Girl and Boy Scouts, refinishing furniture, bird watching and traveling.

Later after Raymond retired in 1985, they moved to Sonora, CA and attended St. Matthew’s Church. They both had a lust for travel in their motorhome and abroad. Elsie had her own craft/art room to create in.

Not long after Ray passed in 2008, Elsie moved to Fremont, CA to be closer to her family. She got a condo in the Ardenwood and joined Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fremont, CA. Elsie was again embedded into church work, bible study, Vacation Bible School and the senior group.

Elsie moved to Aegis of Fremont in 2017.She was the poster girl of Aegis, boasting at church about the wonderful place Aegis was. The staff have become like family to all of us. They cared for Elsie through the pandemic and through the last steps of her life. The family would also praise the care of Vitas Hospice for the care of Elsie in the end.

Elsie survived by her son, Greg Schroeder, and his wife Barbara of San José, CA daughter, Robin Murri and her husband Jerry of Fremont, CA, son, Kurt Schroeder and his wife JoAnne Hongo of Redwood City, CA, and, grandchildren Zach Schroeder, Ben Schroeder and his wife Emily and Kelsey Schroeder, all of Denver, CO and Stephanie Murri and her husband Matt Fernandez of Hayward, CA., last but not least her great grandchild, Theo Schroeder and a baby sister who is on her way soon in Denver, CO. She also survived by many nieces and nephews in CO and IL.

Services are yet to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 38451 Fremont, CA 94536.