Patricia Ann Schroeder

Patricia Rondou Qualley Schroeder (May 19, 1928 - May 6, 2012), resident of DePere, passed away on Sunday evening surrounded by love and in the company of family. Thanks to full time care by grandson Jesse, daughter Debby and caregiver Carol, Patricia was able to finish out her days as she wished, at home. To the very end she displayed her hallmark quick wit, wicked sense of humor and intense love of family. Patricia was born in Green Bay to parents Norbert and Mabel (nee Thompson) Rondou. She attended St. Willebrord School, graduated from East Green Bay HS and from the Wisconsin College of Cosmetology in Green Bay. Always ahead of her time, she established her own business in the early 1950’s and was the owner/operator of the Medora Beauty Shoppe for nearly forty years until retiring in 1990. Pat excelled at everything she put her hand to - needlepoint, knitting, ceramics, cooking, gardening, bridge, Sheepshead. An accomplished sports enthusiast, she was a charter member of the Green Bay Curling Club, a member of Shorewood Golf Club and Fox Valley Golf Club, and an avid bowler and pool player. Ever the class act, Pat’s sense of fashion resulted in a wardrobe collection that reflects her impeccable style. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Lee Qualley, her brothers Norbert and Edwin, her sister-in-law Dorothy, an infant son Joseph, and the love of her life, Jack Schroeder, whom she married on Columbus Day in 1979. Jack and Pat spent many happy times traveling together on cruises and trips to California, Hawaii, Montana, Las Vegas, New York City, the Pennsylvania Amish country and the East Coast. As a couple they enjoyed golfing, curling and socializing with their many good friends. But her greatest joy was time spent with her family. Pat was a wonderful hostess who warmly welcomed into her home not just her own friends, but also her children’s friends. Many a holiday celebration would end with an admiring “Patsy, you did it again!” In recent years, Pat greatly enjoyed monthly luncheons/card games with her cousins Rachel Fritsch and Mary Maus. “Big Pat” is survived by her many loving family members: her children Pamela (Cliff Mitchell) Qualley, Deborah (Tom) Legener, Jeff Qualley, Paul Qualley, Amy (Tom Fisk) Qualley, and Molly (John) VanDenLangenberg; grandsons Jesse, Kelly, Thomas and Justin Qualley and Nathan Frye; granddaughters Emily Legener, Leah Arbes, Amanda VanderLogt, Heather McMonagle, Rainey and Margaret Qualley, and Victoria VanDenHeuvel; five great grandchildren Kieran, Lilly, Jameson, Eli and Lucas; and six stepsons Michael (Mary), Patrick (Jelly), Christopher (Jackie), Scott (Kelly), Brian, and Shawn (Lisa) Schroeder and their children and grandchildren. Many friends, in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews will dearly miss her as well. Big Pat was our touchstone, our role model and our hero - she was a force of nature who will live forever in our hearts. We love and miss you, Patsy. Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, May 12 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, and a memorial service at 12 noon at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 North Webster Avenue in DePere, with a reception to follow. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer a donation in Patricia’s name to the Green Bay Curling Club’s “Junior Curling Program” to encourage the next generation of curlers. Checks should be made out to Green Bay Curling Club, noting Patricia Schroeder Fund, and may be mailed to Green Bay Curling Club, 781 Potts Avenue, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54304. Special thanks to the kind and considerate staff at Rennes Nursing Home for the care they provided during Patricia’s recovery from hip surgery. The family would also like to thank caregivers Marlene, Diane and Gwen for their assistance during the final days and Good Samaritans Carol and Gary Matuszak for their many kindnesses.