Jeanine R. Schroder of Cherokee, IA, has passed away, leaving behind a family and community who loved her dearly.
What we offer here is gratitude wrapped in remembrance.
Jeanine spent her working life as ['the Cherokee Mental Health Institute as a secretary for Mr', 'receptionist for Dr'] and held deeply to the Methodist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
The community of faith holds its own well — and Jeanine was held.
Jeanine Townsend Schroder, 89, of Cherokee, Iowa passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at Heartland Care Center in Marcus, Iowa.Memorial services will be held Friday, May 8, 2026 at 10:30am at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Cherokee, Iowa. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery at Cherokee, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will be on Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee located at 207 E. Main Street. The Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests memorials be directed to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Cherokee, Iowa in Jeanine’s honor.Jeanine (Townsend) Schroder, the daughter of Lloyd and Elaine (Giebe) Townsend was born on August 3, 1936 at the family home north of Meriden. Shortly after, the family moved to a farm 4 ½ miles west of Cherokee, where Jeanine attended country school through 6th grade. Jeanine’s mother passed away when she was 10 and she transitioned her schooling to Meriden, where she completed Junior High and High School. Following graduation, she worked at the telephone office in Cherokee until her marriage to LeRoy Pedersen in 1955. Jeanine worked at the Solano County Courthouse in California until LeRoy’s discharge from the service and their return to Meriden. The couple lived on a farm in the area and raised three children. Jeanine went on to teach Sunday School at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and worked at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute as a secretary for Mr. Wirth.In March of 1977, Jeanine married M. Robert Schroder at Storm Lake Methodist Church. They built their home in Cherokee, where Jeanine worked as a receptionist for Dr. Asher and Dr. Menke for 9 years, before transitioning to Cherokee City Hall, where she worked as the secretary to the city administrator for 12 years. Jeanine held several offices while active in the Business and Professional Women’s Group. Bob and Jeanine enjoyed spending their weekends at Okoboji and after retirement in 2000, they spent winters in Mesa, Arizona. Jeanine was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Cherokee.Jeanine thoroughly enjoyed being with people and watching her children and grandchildren grow up. In the beginning, sewing clothing for her own children to later creating outfits for her grandchildren-often with matching dresses for their dolls- Jeanine’s talent and love for sewing was at the heart of her creativity. From transforming garage sale treasures into tasteful works of art to creating elegant pieces for the next ladies’ gathering, Jeanine’s creativity was evident in all she did. Whether crafting by hand or using her talents to reimagine and remodel a home, she generously shared her gifts, always bringing her vision to life for those she loved.She had a true gift for entertaining, finding joy in bringing people together and making everyone feel welcome. She delighted in hosting family and friends and creating traditions that made every gathering special-from Easter scavenger hunts to haunted houses, with red hots and lemon drops always waiting in the candy dish, to a new game with a deck of cards surely to be a winner, and summers spent together in Okoboji. Jeanine was always interested in the happenings of her family being sure to attend concerts, ball games, and let’s not forget all those shopping trips. She had an eye and love for shopping, and was sure to tell you when you found the one that was just right, or more clearly, the wrong one.She was also known for her love of travel and adventure, boating and water skiing in the summer to hitting the winter slopes; she had no fear of roller blade wheels or skis. She was even found one summer afternoon parasailing on West Lake Okoboji. Her smile and laugh could fill a room. Jeanine had a love for life, enriched by her family and friends, and rooted in her faith. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered as a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, her faith and joy living on in all who knew her.Jeanine was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Schroder, infant daughter Kathy Pedersen, her parents, sister and brother-in-law Joan and Verlin Peters and brother and sister-in-law Ronald and Velma Townsend; sister-in-law Bonnie Hembd and Jeanne Miller, brother-in-law Eldon Schroder and granddaughter Diana Pedersen-Vance.Jeanine is survived by her children, Larry (Karen) Pedersen of Weston, FL, Lori (Alan) Brown of West Des Moines, and Les (Linda) Pedersen of Cleghorn; grandchildren Christian Pedersen and his children, Mason and Chevy of Carroll, Van Pedersen of Denver, CO, Braylon Tindrell and Camilo Young of Des Moines, LeAnn Fleming and her children Dominic and Derek of Hinton, Landon Pedersen of Meriden, Lacy (Brooke) Hanson and their children Brennan, Zarie, Zander, and Zadyn of Marcus, Lindy (Brad) Schreier and their children Keegan, Kennedy, and Karter of Remsen; sister Linda (Rod) Dierking of Storm Lake; her honorary grandchildren, Jason (Erika) Dierking, Kara (Larry) Pearson, and Nathan (Lindsey) Dierking and families; brother-in-law Bill (Linda) Schroder of Huntsville, AL; and extended family of Paul (Rosa Carole) Schroder of Minneapolis, MN and Lorrie (Chris) Wolle of Port Ludlow, WA, Hilary Northcraft and Kamielle James and their families; numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends.
