Portrait in newspaper

Rev. N. Schroeder, 68

Norman Emory Schroeder, son of George and Martha (Pribnow) Schroeder, was born July 13, 1921, in Cuming County on the family farm near West Point.

He was baptized in the Lutheran faith September 11, 1921, and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Scribner September 8, 1935.

He was graduated from Scribner High School in 1939, and received a bachelor’s degree in 1945 from Wayne State College.

In 1948, he was awarded a Master of Divinity degree from Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary in Maywood, Illinois. Midland Lutheran College in Fremont awarded an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree to Pastor Schroeder May 16, 1982.

On December 30, 1945, he was united in marriage to Bernetta Von Seggern. Three daughters and two sons were born to them.

Norman was ordained by the Lutheran Church June 28, 1948.

As a pastor, he served Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Lodgepole and Grace Lutheran Church in Chappell from 1948-62.

He then served St. John Lutheran Church in Bennington from 1962-87.

Norman assumed numerous leadership roles within the Midwest Synod and the Central States Synod, ULCA and the Nebraska Synold, LCA. He retired from the active ministry in November, 1987.

Pastor Schroeder was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America and Lions Club International. In 1972, the Boy Scouts honored him with the Silver Beaver and Lamb Awards. He was a charter member of both Lodgepole and Bennington Lions Clubs. The Bennington Lions honored him by titling a youth scholarship in his name in December, 1989. Among other honors, the Bennington Jaycees presented him with its Distinguished Service Award and he was made an honorary member of the Bennington Volunteer Fire Department. The V.E. Grange also named him Outstanding Citizen of the Year. He was also a member of the Board of Directors for Midland College and Immanuel Hospital.

Upon retirement, Norman and Bernetta moved from Bennington to rural Washington County. He died from cancer February 13, 1990, at Montclair Nursing Center, Omaha.

Preceding him in death were his parents, sister Sylvia, and infant son, Karl.

Survivors include his wife Bernetta; four children and their spouses, Miriam and Ken Sukraw of Bennington; Rev. Lyle and Jannene Sass of Beatrice; Rev. Joel and Nancy Schroeder of Stromsburg, and Rev. David and Loretta Schafer of Sutton; seven grandchildren; three sisters, Lillian (Mrs. Vernon) Johnson of Oakland; Evelyn (Mrs. William) Briza of Ralston, and Shirley (Mrs. Harold) Popken of Fremont; two nieces; one nephew; other relatives and friends.

Committal service was held at St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery near Scribner. Celebrant was Rev. John Pierson, while Rev. LaVern Grosc was the preacher. Lector was Rev. Dave Zellmer.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

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