G. Ralph Schroeder

Ralph Schroeder, 79, passed away at home after a lengthy illness surrounded by his loved ones on Nov. 1, 2020.

He was born on April 21, 1941, in Milwaukee, Wis., to Evelyn G. (Dietelhoff) Schroeder and Ralph J. Tolock.

He married Diana Metoxen in February 1965 and had one child, Loucinda. They divorced in 1968 but remained friends throughout the years.

He met Jeannine G. Adelmeyer, and two years later, on Nov. 7, 1975, he married his best friend.  Our family was completed with her daughters Cindi and Sandy. Ralph and Jean were together for 47 years.  

Growing up in the Norwalk-Sparta area is where his love for trains began. He talked of the times he and his friends would jump the train and ride to the next town, then walk back home. All his life he was interested in trains and their history. His interests included trains, lighthouses, history and traveling.

He retired from typewriter and office machine repairs, a job that allowed him the opportunity to travel and to meet many people throughout his career.  

He always had a story to tell and he had a way to always make you laugh. Ralph loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially his grandson Kyle and great-grandson Mason.   

Ralph is survived by his wife Jeannine Schroeder; daughters Loucinda (Terry Van Stee) Conway, Cindi (friend Jeff Hanson) Kraft and Sandy (John Isaacson) Entrekin; sisters Thelma Dunnum and Ramona Schroeder; brothers-in-law Jerry (Sharon) Adelmeyer, Kenny (Kathy) Adelmeyer, Jim Adelmeyer and Mel (Sandy) Gindt; and sisters-in-law Judy Zimmermann and Nancy (Dennis) Lecher. He is further survived by his grandchildren Danielle (Saquib) Baig, Kyle (Morgan Iverson) Conway, Kristie Conway, Megan (Cody Guyette) Conway, Ryan Kraft, Gregory Kraft, Joshua Entrekin, Jenni Entrekin, Jamie (Zack) Makosky and Andrew Isaacson. He is further survived by 11 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.  

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents Evelyn Dietelhoff and Ralph Tolock, sister Sharyn Dineen, brother-in-law Richard Dunnum and great-grandson Gage Conway.  

On behalf of the family, we express our most sincere gratitude to all those who have wished us well, sent us warm thoughts, offered prayers and spoke words of comfort. The support received is greatly appreciated by the family.  Ralph’s loved ones would also like to thank the Calumet County Hospice team for their kind and compassionate care given to Ralph.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation — FL: 200 SE 1st Street, Ste. 800, Miami, FL 33131 or NW: 1359 Broadway, Ste. 1509, New York, NY 10018

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Meiselwitz-Vollstedt Funeral Home is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.