Schroeder, Rita Margaret

Rita Margaret Schroeder, 83, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at her home. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at St. Ludmila Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW.

Rita was born June 26, 1928, in Dubuque, the daughter of Patrick and Margaret (Steier) Lucy. She married Ralph Schroeder Sr. on July 30, 1947, in Philadelphia. She was a member of St. Ludmila Catholic Church and Swisher American Legion Post 671 for 22 years.

She looked forward to family get-togethers, family, friends and neighbors popping in to see her. She loved playing euchre, bingo, and going to Riverside. On Thursdays she looked forward to shopping with her daughter Linda. She was an avid Cubbie and Hawkeye fan.

Rita is survived by her daughter, Linda (Jon) Barron of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Tina (Sean) Vogt of Watkins, Brian (Jen) Hughes of Center Point and Trisha (Lamel) Brandon of Cedar Rapids; seven great-grandchildren, Tarrah, Brandon, Tegan, Skyelar, Brianna, James and Lamel Jr.; friend and sister-in-law, Deloras (Edward) Grant of Royce City, Texas; a brother-in-law, Donald Schroeder of Longview, Wash.; two nieces, Virginia (Kenneth) Pilcher of Cedar Rapids and Rita (Roger) Stockman of Florida; two nephews, Ray (Nancy) Stoffel of Colorado and Joe (Karen) Rodasta of Dubuque; and her granddog, Ginger.

She was greeted in Heaven by her husband, Ralph Schroeder Sr., who passed on Jan. 15, 2004; a son, Ralph (Bud) Schroeder Jr., who passed on Jan. 11, 1972; three sisters, Marie Delaney, Viola Stoffel and Irene Rodasta; a brother in infancy; and her parents.

Memorials may be directed to either St. Ludmila Catholic Church, Hospice of Mercy or the Linda Club.

Rita's family would like to thank the Hospice of Mercy gals who helped Rita in the last months. You were all angels. Thanks so much!

Online condolences may be directed to the family at