Wayne Frederick Schroeder

Wayne F. Schroeder, 91, of Grand Island passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025, at Bryan Health Grand Island Regional Hospital.

Funeral services will be 10 AM on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at St. Pauls Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeff Pedersen officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, March 7 from 5 to 7 at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. Memorials are suggested to St. Pauls Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left at www.apfelfuneralhome.com. 

Wayne was born on April 24, 1933, to Mervin and Gertrude (Meinke) Schroeder in the Cameron Township in Hall County. He grew up in Grand Island and graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1951. He loved his music, especially to beat the drums. He entered the United States Army on May 12, 1953, serving during the Korean war. He was honorably discharged on May 11, 1955

He was united in marriage to Jeannine Bruhn in August 1953. To this union, three children, Debbie, Cindy, and Scott were born. They were divorced in September 1964. He was united in marriage to Carol K. Petzoldt on December 3, 1966, at St. Pauls Lutheran Church. To this union, Rick, Angela, and Jen were born. As a teenager, Wayne worked at the Glovera Ballroom. Wayne worked various jobs over the years including Kinney Shoes as assistant manager, worked for Gamble Robinson Wholesale, owned his own business Tom's Toasted Peanuts, K-Mart as the loss control manager, and the Grand Island Public Schools as a food service driver.

He was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church, UCT, Oddfellows, Platt Duetshe, and was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing and camping, photography, polka music, and loved to go for car rides.

Life was good when he was happy; but it was much better when he made others happy at Tiffany Square.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Carol; daughter, Deborah (Mike) Bebee, Cindy Ann Garroutte, Angela Lehechka, Jennifer (Aaron) Blum, sons, Scott Schroeder, Rick (Kim) Schroeder; 14 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren; brother Robert Schroeder; and brother-in-law, Lavern Petzoldt.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Mervin Jr."Shorty" Schroeder, sister, Betty Michalski; sister-in-laws, Beverly Schroeder and Carol R. Schroeder; and son-in-law, Greg Leheckha.