Robert Schroeder celebrated his 90th birthday on March 21, 2014. Robert has live a cornucopia of history, including from aviation, changes in the local area to early farms and families, and farming technology and machinery.
He was born to parents Richard and Margaret Schroeder in Paso Robles, CA, on March 21, 1924. The family returned to Idaho when he was one month old. He has two younger sisters: Ilene (Hartzel) Schmidt, North Newton, KS, and Cloris Unruh Enns, Hutchison, KS.
Robert spent his life in the Aberdeen and American Falls area except for his time in the U.S. Army Air Corps. during World War II. At that time, he was in the 8th Air Force, 34th Bomb group as a B-17 tail gunner. He and his crew complete 35 bombing missions. The crew of the B-17 named “Butch” has only three remaining members who still remain in contact by telephone and cards and letters.
He married the love of his life, Jennie P. Butterfield, on June 8, 1945 after only dating for eight days. Together they had six children, Rich, Ronda, Clifford, Deb, Nick and Troy. Together they settled on the family farm where they stayed until moving to Spring Creek Manor Assisted Living. In his early years he raised grain, alfalfa, potatoes and a small herd of dairy and beef animals. In 1961, he built a new dairy barn and became solely a dairy farm. Through the dairy business while improving animals, he was associated with Cache Valley Breeders and later on was elected to their board of directors. Endeavoring to improve milk quality and quantity, he became associate with the Dairy Herd Improvement Association and was later elected to the board of directs and later became President of IDHIA.
Years later, with the children moved away to individual pursuits and increasing ages, the dairy business became too much to handle. They were able to sell all the animals and are currently leasing out the farm ground.
He is survived by his wife Jennie; children Rich (Winnie) Schroeder, Ronda (Steve) Ranstrom, Debra (George) Garbiso, Nick (Sheila) Schroeder, and Troy (Bonny) Schroeder; sisters Ilene (Hartzel) Schmidt and Cloris Unruh Enns; sisters-in-law Dorothy Sorenson, Annabel Butterfield, and Rhoda Bennett; brothers–in-law Robert (Ilia) and Melvin Butterfield; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by one son, Clifford, parents Richard and Margaret Schroeder, parents–in-law Ferabee and Ivy May Butterfield.
An evening viewing will be held at Davis-Rose Mortuary, 170 Idaho St., American Falls from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 1. Funeral services will be held at the LDS Stake Center, 111 Church Place, American Falls at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 2. Family visitation will be held one hour prior to funeral services. Graveside services will be held at Falls View Cemetery. The Roland Evans American Legion Post No. 3 and the Idaho Honor Guard will conduct the Military Honors.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.davisrose mortuary.com, 208-226-2147.
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