In lieu of gifts and flowers please send donations in Phil’s name to St. Mary’s School for a family memorial to be placed at the newly renovated school. Please send to 121 E 4th Street, Remsen, IA 51050.
Philip Jerel Schroeder, 76, of Remsen, IA, passed away December 13, 2025 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen, IA with Father Timothy Pick officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen. Graveside military honors will be conducted by V.F.W. Post 3328 and American Legion Post 220 of Remsen. Visitation with family present will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday, there will be a parish rosary and vigil prayer service at 5 p.m. all at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen. Visitation will resume Friday from 9:30-10:15 a.m. at the funeral home. www.fischfh.com
Phil was born on July 30, 1949 to Elmer and Hildegarde (Ludwig) Schroeder in LeMars, IA. Raised in Remsen, he received his education from Remsen St. Mary’s, graduating in 1967. He then served in the 185th Air National Guard for several years, and was deployed to Korea within the motor pool division. When he returned, he attended college at Westmar in LeMars, IA on the G.I. Bill.
Phil married his high school sweetheart, Margie (Ruden) Schroeder, on April 17, 1971 at Remsen St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Phil was a lifelong farmer, working on the family farm located south of Remsen, where he and Margie made their home.
He was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Parish in Remsen, a 15-year member of the parish finance council, a eucharistic minister, a lector, and served as a parish finance advisor for several years. He was also a lifelong supporter of St. Mary’s Catholic Schools. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, VFW, and was chair for several years of the annual Remsen Knights of Columbus Life Skills Training Center and Iowa Special Olympics phone-a-thon.
Phil had a zest for life. He loved meeting new people and making new friends wherever he went. He never met a stranger. He enjoyed going for drives, spending time at Okoboji, boating, traveling, and being around family. He had a passion for farming, and loved to talk about it with anyone who shared his interest (and even some who didn’t). He had a great sense of humor, and was prone to greeting people with a smile and witty remark. He loved a good prank or practical joke.
His greatest blessing and joy was his family: his wife, Margie Schroeder; children, Brad (Tammie) Schroeder of Adel, IA, Angie (Todd) Schmid of Kingsley, IA, Stacey Frerichs of LeMars, IA, Kristin (Chris) Blake of Akron, IA, and Justin (Jennifer) Schroeder of Ankeny, IA; and 16 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild coming soon. He will be greatly missed by the many who loved him and knew him.
His brothers and sisters include: James (Shyril) Schroeder of Hinton, IA; John Schroeder of LeMars, IA; Mary (Richard) Riedemann of Remsen, IA; sister-in-law, Sharon Sitzmann of LeMars, IA; and step-brother Jim (Lisa) Jaminet of Saguache, CO,
Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Hildegarde (Ludwig) Schroeder; step-mother, Joan (Jaminet) Schroeder; brother, Paul Schroeder; and sister-in-law, Minnie Schroeder.
