ELAINE SCHROEDER

Funeral services for Elaine Schroeder, 89, of Wagner, will be held Tuesday, May 7 at 1:30 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wagner. Interment will be in the ZCBJ Cemetery. Peters Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of arrangements.

Elaine L. Schroeder, passed away, unexpectedly, Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Wagner Community Memorial Hospital, as a result of an automobile accident. Elaine was born on her family farm south of Wagner July 2, 1934 to John and Irene (Johannsen) Giedd. She attended country school and graduated from Wagner High School in 1952. In her younger years, she spent her time waitressing at the Hinkhouse Café, where she later met the love of her life, Wayne Schroeder. Wayne and Elaine were married August 30, 1954, and spent 58 wonderful years together. In those years, they raised six children while maintaining their farm place east of Wagner. Elaine was a kind, warm hearted mother, who loved her children immensely, but wasn’t afraid to show her stern side and keep those six in line. Once her youngest daughter went to school, Elaine returned to work. She spent time waitressing again at Emmy’s Café, but soon found her place for 25 years at the Wagner Community School as everyone’s favorite lunch lady. If she wasn’t at the school or on the farm, you could find her at an auction doing what she loved most - looking for relics to add to her collection. Later in life, she spent her time quilting, embroidering, conversing with loved ones, and finding her way into everyone’s hearts. There is so much to be missed about Elaine, but we will miss her warm smile, big hugs, and conversations over coffee most.

Thankful for having shared her life are her six children: Kenneth of Sioux Falls, Carrie (Larry) Wehr of Harlan, IA, Roger (Beth) of Lake Andes, Randy (Barb) of Atkinson, NE, Grant of Britton, and Ruth of Rapid City; six grandchildren: Calvin Wehr, Ryan Schroeder, Kara Beiswanger, Austin Schroeder, Jodi Cleary, and Karlee Friese; 15 great grandchildren; sister Alyce Kafka; and several nieces and nephews.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband Wayne August 2, 2013 and her parents.