Leo Luke Schroeder
POLSON – Leo Luke Schroeder, 94, passed away Sunday, June 21, 2015, at his home in Polson. Leo was born June 24, 1920, in Dodge, North Dakota, to Fred and Dorothy (Marquardt) Schroeder. Leo attended school and graduated from Dodge High School in 1938. Leo then attended Dickinson State College and received a North Dakota State Teaching Standard in 1939. While in college, Leo joined the National Guard and served in K Company 164th Infantry. From 1939-1941 Leo taught school in North Dakota in a one-room school house teaching grades 1-8 earning $60 a month.
Leo was inducted into the U.S. Army at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, on Oct. 8, 1942. He was sent to Fort McClellan, Alabama, to do basic training. Leo entered officer cadet school and was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, in Jan. 1943. Leo graduated in April 1943 commissioned as 1st Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion of the 25th Infantry U.S. Army. While stationed there, Leo met and later married Marion Gramm in July 1943. The following year they became proud parents of their daughter, Cynthia. Leo and Marion enjoyed many years together until her death in 1977.
Leo was initially sent to Hawaii and trained new troops in jungle school camp. He was called to active duty in WWII to serve in the Pacific tour on the islands of Tinian, Saipan, Marshall, and Gilbert. He led an assault landing at Wykiama, Japan, the same day General MacArthur was signing the peace treaty in Yokohama Harbor, Japan. Leo continued to serve until his discharge Aug. 13, 1946.
Leo moved to Missoula to attend the University of Montana in 1945 and graduated in 1948 with a B.A. in education. He moved to Shelby, Montana, and taught math, and coached and refereed basketball games. He continued his education at the University of Southern California in 1949 and graduated with a Master’s in education in 1951. He returned to Missoula where he taught math at Lowell School. He served as principal at Lowell School from 1960 until 1974 and then transferred to serve as principal at Emma Dickinson until retiring in 1979. During his entire educational career he was involved in sports in some capacity either by playing, coaching or officiating.
On May 29, 1979, Leo married Myrtle Tucker and moved to Kings Point on Flathead Lake. They enjoyed traveling on motorcycle, golfing and entertaining their many friends. Leo was an avid golfer most of his life. He was Missoula Country Club champion in 1955 and won several other tournaments. He played guitar and sang in a band for years. Even in his later years, he would bring out his guitar and sing for family and friends. Leo was an amateur ham radio operator and communicated with friends all over the world. Leo enjoyed bee keeping and harvested and processed many gallons of honey. Leo donated all his beekeeping equipment to Lowell School for his students to enjoy. Leo was a life member of the Elks Club and the Veterans of Foreign War.
Leo truly appreciated all his friends at the “bakery,” with many hours being spent storytelling and problem solving. Leo was an eternal optimist and could always bring a smile to your face. He was a joy to talk with and had a way of making you feel special. Leo could start up a conversation with a total stranger and come away with a new friend. He truly cared about his family and friends and accepted you for who you were. His warmth, kindness, compassion and genuine interest will be extremely missed.
A special thank you goes to his hospice nurse, Debbie, who was so good to Leo; to Dr. Vizcarra and his team at St. Luke’s Community Clinic in Ronan; and to the doctors and staff and the V.A. in Missoula.
Leo is survived by his wife Myrt; daughter, Cynthia (Lee) Vaughn; stepdaughter, Jodie (John) Mackey; stepson, Gary (Becky) Tucker; stepson, Ronald (Lynda) Gress; and son-in-law, Steve Lutz; grandchildren: Janell and Devony, Jessica (Brian) Overbaugh, Garrett Tucker, Marissa Tucker, Michael Martin; and friends Kelli Brazington and Mariah (Rod) Luamanu; sister-in-law, Shirley Schroeder; niece, MaryAnn Tremper (Robert) Mosely and their son Nathan; and five great-grandchildren.
Leo’s first wife Marion; his brother, Dan Schroeder; and sister, Helen Tremper all precede him in death.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, at 1 p.m. at the Polson Bay Golf Course clubhouse. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Polson Junior Golf, 111 Bayview Drive, Polson, MT 59860 or the American Cancer Society.
Messages of condolences may be shared with the family at www.TheLakeFuneralHomeAndCrematory.com. Arrangements are under the direction of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
