Kenneth Gordon Schroeder

Kenneth was born in Wabaso, MN, the only son of five to Charlotte Schroeder (Schueller) and Harvey Schroeder. He graduated St. Joseph’s in 1952 before enlisting in the US Army. Ken married and several years were spent in Yakima working in the food industry. He had four children before work transferred Ken to Spokane in 1970. Another child was born in 1971 to complete his family.

Ken loved a good boxing match and he himself proved to be the ultimate fighter. Professionally and personally, Ken’s witty, gregarious humor and raw honesty, along with his mastery and love of human nature, was a magnet that effortlessly steered others in his direction. But a devastating stroke derailed Ken’s life in 1985. Paralysis was the easiest to live with. It was his charismatic gift of gab that was devastatingly stripped from him. Still, Ken could command the spotlight without speaking a single word.

Losing Ken’s larger than life presence leaves an enormous void for his loved ones to navigate yet every person close to him now pictures him walking with a skip in his step, patting old friends on the back and entertaining again, making up for the 37 frustrating years of trapped conversations.

Along with his children, Julie Schroeder, Janet Schroeder (Rodgers) Doug Schroeder, David Schroeder and Amy Schroeder (Rose) he is survived by two sisters, Faye Milum and Judy Irby as well as countless nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.