Clare Schroeder

Clare Schroeder, 82, died Friday, January 26, 2018 in his home in Urbandale, Iowa, surrounded by his wife and children.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at St. Mary of Nazareth Church in Des Moines, followed by a luncheon. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Private interment was at McDivitt Grove Cemetery in Urbandale.

Clare was born in Carroll, Iowa and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1954 where he was a well-known football player. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Iowa, and worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation for 18.5 years in several positions. In 1978 he joined Koss Construction in Des Moines, where he retired as Vice President of Engineering in 1998. After retirement, Clare worked as an associate engineer for the Iowa Concrete Paving Association until 2013, traveling around the state working with county engineers.

He married Elizabeth Schenkelberg in 1959, and they celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary last year. They have five children and five grandchildren.

Clare was a “golf enthusiast” (a.k.a. golf nut), and loved golfing with his wife Liz, his sons and his friends at the Urbandale Country Club where he was a member for 40 years. He was also a loyal Hawkeye fan, particularly of the football team, with whom he had an ongoing love/hate relationship.

After retirement he enjoyed traveling with Liz in the winters to Florida, Texas and Arizona. He was a devout Catholic, often ushering at St. Mary’s. Later in life, Clare particularly enjoyed spending time with his family, telling jokes and stories and keeping up with the activities of his children and grandchildren.

Clare is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; their children: Mary (Troy), Chris, Mike (Kelli), Pete (Cindy) and Matt (Amy); their five grandchildren: Alex, Ben, Sam, Libby and Will; and by his sister, Sharon White.

Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com. Donations may be sent to St. Mary’s, the American Cancer Society and the University of Iowa.
Iles Funeral Home, Des Moines.

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