LeRoy Schroeder

LeRoy Schroeder, 87, a life-long resident of the Gay Hill Community of Washington County, died at home on Sunday, November 17, 2013 with his family at his side. The Schroeder family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at the Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer Street, Brenham. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Gay Hill with Pastor Alan Kethan officiating. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.

LeRoy Christ Schroeder was born on August 8, 1926 in the rural Gay Hill community to Erna (Steinkamp) and Arthur F. Schroeder, Sr. LeRoy was baptized on September 10, 1926 and confirmed October 25, 1942 at St. Peter's. He attended High School in Burton as well as Blinn College. The Korean War found LeRoy proudly serving his country in the US Army as a Sergeant in the 28th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. Upon his return home in 1952, he was an active member of the VFW - 7104 James F. Dillon Post in Brenham. LeRoy continued with an understanding of the importance of serving ones community and was elected Washington County Commissioner, Precinct 3, in 1972 serving in that position for 2 terms.

The proudest accomplishment in LeRoy’s life was his family. On June 12, 1954, he married Gladys Quebe at St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill. Together they raised four children and started their business, LeRoy Schroeder Contractor, in 1958. The business focused on dirt construction as well as soil and water conservation. He was very proud to be selected “Conservation Business of the Year” in 1982 by the Washington Soil & Water Conservation District. The business is now owned and operated by his two sons. Through his personal, political and professional life, LeRoy has had a wonderful influence on his community and surrounding areas.

LeRoy had an interest in collecting barbed wire and bottles, and was an avid game hunter. He was dedicated to his Gillespie County deer lease for 51 years; the folks at Koennecke Ranch will surely miss him. LeRoy is one of very few men who could claim to have taken one of every game species in the lower 48 States.

Surviving family includes son, Donald Schroeder and his wife Amanda, son Russell Schroeder, daughter Janice and her husband Michael Grunder, daughter Brenda and her husband Greg Gaskamp as well as four grandchildren; Ryan Gaskamp, Allye Schroeder, Avery Schroeder and Bailey Grunder. He is also survived by sisters, Gertrude and husband Gilbert Schroeder, Lucille and husband Dr. Bill Welch, Marjorie Runge and sister-in-law Gladys Faye Schroeder, with a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

On June 10, 2003, Gladys preceded LeRoy in death; he was also preceded by his parents, a brother, Arthur Fred Schroeder and grandson, Grant Grunder.

Serving as pallbearers will be his nephews, James Lehrmann, Troy Schroeder, Jeff Runge, H.C. Becker, Warner Neumann, Emery Schulze and Bobby Arndt. Honorary Pallbearers will be Gilbert Janner and Gene Thielemann.

The family suggests Memorial Contributions be directed to St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Gay Hill and would like to thank all of the wonderful ladies of AMA Home Care for their love, support and wonderful care they gave LeRoy the past three years.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 979.836.3611. Leave condolences at brenhammemorialchapel.com