Donald Eugene Schroeder

Don Schroeder was a neat guy.

Born Donald Eugene Schroeder on September 28, 1944 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Dodge City, Kansas, he was the oldest of three to grow up wild on a farm in Wright. He attended St. Andrew’s Catholic School in Wright and St. Mary’s of the Plains High School in Dodge City (graduated 1962). He graduated from Wichita Technical Institute in 1964. What did he do after that? What didn’t he do? He served in the Kansas and Texas National Guard, worked as a draftsman and designed renderings for buildings in Dodge City and Hutchinson. He worked in emerging electronics technology, and owned and operated the Retreat Supper Club in St. John (while breaking several child labor laws). He also established Retreat Restorations, and his classic cars and trucks would often grace the streets of Edwards County, car magazines, and the Hot Rod Power Tour. He also founded three bands: The Undertakers, The Soul Kings, and The Dirty Thirties, served on both the Edwards County Hospital Board and K-State Research and Extension Council and Executive Board, and was a member of Good Company Painters, the 5-4-7 Arts Center, and painted with artists groups in Osceola and Brevard counties in Florida.

He met the love of his life Kathryn Maree Littler while living in Dallas, and they married in Chase County, Kansas on July 5, 1975. Don and Kathy settled down on a farm in Edwards County where they lived together for 44 years and raised a couple kids and grew a little corn.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy, and his parents, James and Lucille Schroeder. He is survived by daughters Lesley Schroeder and Sara Moore (husband Rob), sisters Joanie McClure, LuAnn Montgomery (husband Roy), brother-in-law David Littler, niece Tiffany Littler, nephews Garrett McClure, Curtis McClure, Cullen McClure (wife Danielle), and countless cousins and friends.

Services will be Saturday, August 24 at 2pm at the Lewis Methodist Church. Bright colors are encouraged and ties are discouraged. A reception honoring Don, featuring his artwork, will follow at the Lewis Community Hall. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Don and Kathy were both natural teachers and music & art lovers. Memorials may be made to the "Edwards County 4-H Foundation", which will fund the Don and Kathy Schroeder Memorial Art & Music Scholarship, to benefit students in Edwards and Kiowa counties.