Our mother, Doris Lee (Kroeker) Schroeder was born to Edward R. and Emma (Lange) Kroeker on April 17, 1933, in Weatherford, Oklahoma. She passed through heaven's gate on December 17, 2022 at the age of 89 while residing with her husband, John Jr., at the Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community in Buhler, Kansas. Doris, along with her husband, John, were long-time residents of Hutchinson, Kansas.

Immediate surviving family members include her husband, John; and children John D. Schroeder and his wife, Carol from Clearwater, Florida, and, Judy Juhnke and husband, Stan from Hutchinson, Kansas. Also, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren survive her passing.

Those preceding her in death include her parents Edward and Emma Kroeker, sisters Luella (in childhood) and Carol.

Doris was born in Oklahoma but mainly spent her life in Kansas. She grew up on a farm and was given many tasks there to help out from feeding chickens to cleaning out the outhouse. Her time on the farm sparked an interest in painting and writing as she grew into adulthood. As a child, Doris accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior in sixth grade. She served faithfully and is spending her eternal rest in the arms of her Savior.

After high school, Doris met her future husband, John Jr., who worked at the Buhler Lumber Yard. On June 7, 1951, they were married and began their life of 70+ years of marriage together. Their family started with John David, who was born on May 26, 1952, in Hutchinson. Three years later, Judy Diane was born on April 29, 1955. So, their family of four continued as they all lived on 17th Street and then on 44th Street (for 50+ years) in Hutchinson, Kansas. Family meant a lot to our mom. While we were growing up she supported all our activities that included little league baseball and cheerleading. Also, our mom enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren from trips to Abilene to attending Kansas State games.

Doris loved to paint and do crafts and help her husband, John, with entries to the Kansas State Fair for many years.

Those entries included gourds made to look like various Doris, and husband, John Jr., began a floor covering business together called Schroeder's Floor Fashions, that served people in mid-central Kansas for over 40 years.

Carpeting, tile, and colors coordinated by Doris helped beautify numerous homes. Doris was very active in her churches; presently, Medora Community Bible Church, as well as, previously at Union Valley Church, and Crestview Bible Church. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Awana, and Good News Clubs. She sang in choir, solos, duets with her husband, John, and sang soprano in their family quartet. In addition, our mom served the community as she wrote articles in local newspapers, including the Hutchinson News, about the "good o1 days." Plus, she authored a book as well. She was President of the Kansas Writer's Club, leader of Christian Business Women's Group, and secretary to the Young at Hearts group that meets regularly in Hutchinson. Doris loved to write, her first outlet and service to people, but she also was a talented painter, as well. Landscapes and country settings were her favorite, as well as, mountains, as she and John had many trips to Colorado and the Borton Cabin they rented. Plus, trips to foreign countries, as well as, times to Hawaii were met with joy and anticipation.

Our mother lived a full life as she spread the joy in her heart from a personal walk with Jesus. Her prayer for all would be to find God's peace from a personal relationship with her Lord and Savior.

Funeral will be 10 am Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Medora Community Bible Church, with Pastor Ron Mandeville officiating. Burial will follow in the Buhler Municipal Cemetery West. Friends may call from 9 am to 8 pm Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary with family present from 5 to 7 pm.

Memorials are suggested to Medora Community Bible Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.