Person:Mary Schroeder (4)

From the April 5, 1972, edition of the Clayton County Register (Elkader, Ia.)

Mrs. Mary Suddendorf

MONONA: Mary Schroeder, daughter of Ferdinand Schroeder and Fredericka nee Mueller, was born on October 20, 1883, near Froelich in Clayton County. She was baptized as a child and was confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She attended the rural schools in her township.

She was united in marriage with Joseph Lestina. Four children were born to this union. They are Edna Henry of Holiday, Fla., Lorena Benskin of Aurora, Colo., Kenneth Lestina of Keokuk, and Kirmith Lestina of Madison, Wis. Mr. Lestina passed away in 1918.

Mary was united in marriage with George Suddendorf on July 4, 1919, at Clayton Center. They lived in McGregor where Mr. Suddendorf passed away in 1948. Mrs. Suddendorf continued to live at McGregor after the death of her husband but for the past twenty years had spent the winters in Madison with her son. Since August of 1971 she has lived in Madison, spending some time in the hospital and some time in a nursing home. She passed away on March 29, 1972, at the age of 88 years, 5 months and 9 days.

Mrs. Suddendorf had been active in St. Paul Lutheran Church, McGregor. She had served as a Sunday school teacher and was a member of the Ladies Aid. She received communion shortly before her death.

Surviving besides her children are two sisters, Martha Lestina of Postville and Elsie Fox of Monona; one brother Henry Schroeder of Chicago; also nine grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husbands, and two sisters, August Ihde and Amanda Johnson, and two brothers, Albert and William Schroeder.

Funeral services were Saturday, April 1, at 1 p.m. at Schultz Funeral Home in Monona. Burial was in the Monona City Cemetery. The Rev. R.E. Langholz officiated.

Pallbearers were Dwayne Carlson, Ronald Blumhagen, Walter Bruehahn Sr., Donald Bacon, Jerry Schroeder and Lowell Fox.