Helen Elaine Schroeder

Helen Schroeder came into this world on Sept. 23, 1924 in Queens, New York to Johann Peter Oschmann and Maude Emily (née Eason) Oschmann. She had two older siblings, a sister, Anna Maude Oschmann, and brother, Robert Paul Oschmann. After graduating from Grover Cleveland High School, she went on to graduate from a business college in New York City. In succeeding years, she worked as an executive secretary at Chemical Bank in New York, Baltimore County Board of Education in Towson, MD, Marin County Board of Realtors in San Rafael, CA., and Bread for the World in New York. In 1945, during the final days of World War II, she met the love of her life, “Bert” Schroeder at a USO dance where he and his brother were celebrating the end of the long conflict. The following year, Helen and Bert married at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, and were together the next 67 years until Bert’s death in 2013. As part of a military family, she lived in New York City, Bethpage, Long Island, Baltimore MD, and Novato CA. Helen was the consummate supportive and devoted wife to her husband who was frequently deployed; a wise and loving mother to 3 children - Linda (Merritt) Cordray, Don (Cheryl) Schroeder, and Diane (Peter) Germann; a grandmother who was adored by her ten grand- and great-grandchildren; and a committed friend to many who knew and loved her. Helen’s life was characterized by loving, laughing, singing, dancing, and traveling. Foundational to her outlook was a deep-seated love for the Lord Jesus which enabled her to confront all the challenges she faced in life with dignity, calmness, and joy. She will always be remembered by her family for her love, encouragement, charm, and her New York wit (which went along with an accent that never left!). During the last year of her life, she was lovingly cared for at Creekwood Senior Home in Novato, visited frequently by friends from her church, All Saints Lutheran, and of course her family. On May 18, 2015 at 90 years young (her words), surrounded by family and those who cared for her, her residency was peacefully transferred from earth to the kingdom of heaven. Burial will take place at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. on May 28th. Plans are being made to celebrate Helen's life with a memorial service this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice By The Bay (http://www.hospicebythebay.org/).