Howard Hugo Schroeder, 87, of Fort Myers, FL passed away at VITAS Healthcare Inpatient Hospice Unit in Naples, FL on March 29, 2024.

Howard was born on May 14, 1936 in Red Wing, MN to Hugo and Vera (Pagel) Schroeder. He graduated from Zumbrota High School in 1954 and went on to earn an Associate of Arts and Three-Year Teaching Certificate from Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, and a Master of Science degree from Mankato State University, Mankato, MN. In 1968, he received his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

Howard loved to learn and teach – he spent over forty years in the field of Elementary Education, primarily as a Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he taught until his retirement in 1997.

Howard married Rosella J. Iverson on June 26, 1965 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Mankato, MN. They were blessed with six children and were active members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Mankato, and later, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in North Mankato. They moved to Florida in 1997, where he stayed active in church work, served as the president of his condominium association, and was a docent at the Shell Museum on Sanibel Island, FL. Howard loved the Florida weather and stayed active going to the beach, walking, biking, and of course his favorite, motorcycling.

Howard is survived by his children: Mark (Margie) Schroeder of Eden Prairie, MN; Ann (Robert) Roemer of Newalla, OK; Ruth (David) McKnight of Farmington, MN; Mary Schroeder of Reading, MA; Naomi (Robert) Hein of Kentwood, MI; and Beth Schroeder of Louisville, KY; grandchildren: Abby and Ava Schroeder, Brandon and Sean Roemer, and Christina Hein; great grandson Stanley Roemer; and nieces, nephews, and cousins. Howard was preceded in death by his loving wife of nearly 37 years, Rosella (Iverson) in 2002, his father Hugo Schroeder in 1972, his mother Vera Schroeder in 2006, and his sister Verleen Howell Retherford in 2020.

A celebration of life service will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, 15840 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL at 1pm on Monday, May 13, 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Howard's memory to Peace Lutheran Church.