Obituary of Russell John Schroeder

Russell was born November 24, 1931 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He passed quietly in his sleep on March 15, 2022 while at the Berthoud Care and Rehab in Berthoud, Colorado.

Russ was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years Lea, his parents John and Hazel Schroeder, his sister Donna Wallace, granddaughter Cameo Lea and grandson Isaiah, both infants.

Russ is survived by his daughter Gay Lea Hulke (Bill) and son John Schroeder (Jane). Former daughter-in-law Lorie would go visit grandma and grandpa and would help them with whatever they needed. Lorie would also visited with Russ and had many conversations with him.

Russ also leaves behind grandchildren Autumn, Isaac (Tammy), and Holly (Al). Chris (Wendy), Jen (Bo), Chas (Amy) and Syehee Schroder.

Great grandchildren Sierra, Weston, Bret, Ashlyn, Reese, Anthony, Stephan, Vegas, Trey, Breck, Hunter, Cameron, Michaela, and Christian.

Russ and Lea met at South High in Denver, CO in 1948. They were married in 1952. Mom and dad were inseparable until her death on February 23, 2014. Even after Lea’s death, Russ never took off his wedding band.

Russ served in the Air Force during the Korean war. After his discharge in 1955, he and his family moved to Boulder, CO where he finished his schooling at CU. He graduated as a certified accountant. He was an accountant his entire adult working life.

Russ and Lea loved the big bands of the era. They spent many weekend nights at the Trocadero Ballroom at Eliche Gardens listening and dancing to their favorite bands.

Russ also was a living encyclopedia when it came to WWII. He could tell you dates, locations and people involved in many of the battles during the war.

After his retirement in 1992, Russ became a ringside judge in boxing. He loved boxing as a sport. He helped officiate many boxing matches over a ten-year span. He was involved with Golden Gloves, Silver Gloves, and many local weekend boxing matches. He and mom traveled together to many of these matches. This was one more area that they were inseparable.

After his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2004, they became even more inseparable. He was by her side constantly. The sun rose and set on Lea as far as Russ was concerned. When Lea was placed into a care facility in 2008, Russ adopted the staff at Village Inn as his new family. Russ would literally go to the VI every day, three times a day for his meals. He basically had his own booth, and they gave him his own coffee cup with his name on it. He was a steady customer up until seven weeks before his death.

Russell is greatly missed by his family, many friends, and his Village Inn family.

Now, he and Lea are reunited in heaven and will be together with their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ forever in eternity.