Robert Schraeder

Robert Charles Schraeder was born in Woodbine, Iowa on October 24, 1930, to George and Anna Elfrieda (Kruse) Schraeder. Bob resided in Woodbine his entire life except for his two years of military service. Bob attended the Woodbine Community Schools and graduated with the class of 1948. After graduation, Bob worked for Cushing Murfield Construction as a lineman building overhead power lines in rural Harrison County. He later worked for the Boyer Valley Telephone Company until entering the Marines in 1952. Bob saw active duty in Korea as a communications specialist and was honorably discharged in early 1954.

Bob married Lois Kelley on December 15, 1953. The couple lived in various houses in Woodbine before building a home next door to where Bob grew up. Jim Alvis and Bob started J&B Electric in 1954 while Bob was employed at the Harrison County REC. Bob then purchased Jim's half of the business in 1958 and started Schraeder Electric, a company he operated until his death. With 59 years of continuous service, Bob was one of the senior business owners in Woodbine. He was most at home on the job site and all his boys had the opportunity to work for him growing up.

Bob loved to travel and he and Lois made several trips overseas and to many locations in the US. He served on the Woodbine School Board, was Commander of the American Legion Weiss Post #143 and also served several terms on the Municipal Light Plant board.

Bob died on Thursday, June 13, 2013, at the age of 82 years, seven months and 21 days.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Wanda Baumgardner; brother, Joe Schraeder; sister, Louise Beaman; and half-siblings, Dorothy, Pat, Ed, Herbert, William and Arnold Schraeder. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Lois Schraeder of Woodbine; four sons Tom (Myra) Schraeder of Lenexa, KS; Neil (Ruth) Schraeder of Decorah, IA; Mark (Mary) Schraeder of Olathe, KS; Lynn (Bonnie) Schraeder of Woodbine; son-in-law Kirk Baumgardner of Oakdale, MN; nine grandchildren: Eric Baumgardner, AJ Schraeder, Brian Schraeder, Paul Schraeder, Sarah Horns, Ben Schraeder, Amy Schraeder, Colby Greenwood, Jena Dickinson and her husband Adam; and many other relatives and friends.