Richard Franklin "Rick" Schroeder

Richard Franklin “Rick” Schroeder passed away March 25, 2010, in Victoria. He was born July 31, 1938 in Edroy, the son of Grant and Rene Schroeder. He was a graduate of Banquete High School and a graduate of Texas A & I in Kingsville, Texas. He served in the U. S. Army from 1961 to 1963 at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. He married Mary Louise Kimper on May 8, 1965, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Violet, Texas. He worked as a Federal Grain Inspector inspecting ships at the Port of Corpus Christi. He went to work for the Kroger Company in Corpus Christi, Kingsville, and transferred to Victoria in 1972. He then went to work for Albertson’s in Corpus Christi, and transferred to Victoria when Albertson’s opened in Victoria. He retired from Albertsons in 2001.

He was an avid hunter and enjoyed many fishing trips with his friends. He and his wife loved to dance to all kinds of music, but their first love was polka music. They joined the Po. L. K. of A, Texas Chapter I in 2001. They traveled all over the state going to polka festivals. In 2005 they served their Klub as Prince and Princess. Again, 2008 they served the Klub as King and Queen. Rick also held the office of Vice President of the Klub in 2009, and had been elected the Klub’s new president for 2010.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, and a daughter, Christie (John) Wojtasczyk of Houston, a son Michael A. Schroeder of Dallas, and a daughter, Denise (Ricardo) Gonzales of San Antonio. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Mellisa Anne Schroeder, Melody Lynne Schroeder, Macy Lauren Schroeder, Michaela Beth Schroeder, Mathew Aaron Gonzales and Valerie Leigh Gonzales. His is also survived by granddaughter Marian Nicholle Kessling, and by Mary Brown Schroeder. He is survived by a sister, Peggy (Duane) Bull of Robstown, and brothers, Dean (Linda) Schroeder of Sandia, and Fred (Ryka) Schroeder of Robstown. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

A Rosary will be recited at 7 pm Monday, March 29, 2010, at Rosewood Funeral Chapel.

Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 2 pm Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral with Rev. David Berger officiating. Burial with full military honors under the auspices of the Victoria County Veterans Council, AL, CWV, VFW, DAV, MCL, MOWW, EX-POW, MOPH, VVA and KWV will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Todd Schroeder, Steven Schroeder, Brady Bull, Bruce Kimper, Johnny Coronado, Ryan Bull and Kelly Linton.

Memorials may be made to Po.L.K.of A., Texas Chapter I Scholarship Fund, c/o Pat Vrazel, 13015 County Road 171, Danbury, Texas, 77534 or Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum, P. O. Box 72, LaGrange, Texas, 78945 or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Rosewood Funeral Chapels, 3304 Mockingbird Lane, Victoria, Texas, 77904, 361/573-4546.