Ortha Jean Schrader Obituary (1923

Ortha J. Schrader, 85, of Maynard, Iowa, died on Sunday evening, January 18, 2009 at Palmer Lutheran Health Center, West Union after a brief illness. Funeral Service: 1:30 P.M. Friday, January 23, 2008 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Maynard with Rev. Ian Wolfe officiating. Visitation: 3:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Maynard and for one hour before services at the church on Friday. At Ortha's request, the casket will be closed at all times. The family will not be present during the visitation time. Interment: Long Grove Cemetery, Maynard, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, Ortha's wishes were to make donations in her name to the Cancer Fund of Fayette County, Palmer Lutheran Hospital Foundation and the Heart of Iowa Hospice of Fayette County. Information and online condolences available at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com Ortha was born the fourth of six children on a farm one mile east of Maynard. She attended and graduated from Maynard High School in 1941 where she enjoyed playing basketball and playing in the school band. Along with her sister, Hazel, they helped raise her brothers after the untimely and tragic death of her father. During the war years, mom worked in a defense plant in Chicago on plane parts. Shortly after that she returned home to help out her mom and sister, Hazel, with the family trucking business. All of her brothers served in the war in different branches. While helping haul freight in the family trucking company she met the love of her life, Dale, delivering goods. They were soon married in 1942 and to this union came four children. After living in Maynard for three years they made the move to the family farm northeast of town in 1955 where they farmed together ever since. Ortha's pride, like most farm wives, was her flowerbeds and large garden. Always enjoying fresh vegis during the summer. She had a fond love of birds raising both singer canaries and parakeets. Even though Dale thought they were just small chicken's to mess with. Mom always made sure she had a warm meal made for her family and a cool drink during the harvest season. Ortha was a faithful Christian her whole life working many hours volunteering at the church. She always put the needs of others before herself. She was preceded in death by her parents: Julius & Wilma; one sister: Hazel Jones in 1957; three brothers: Harold in 1981, Richard in 1984 and Vernon in 1996 and a two nephews: Allen in 1961 and Neal in 1971. Left to cherish her memory are her Husband of 65 years: Dale J. Schrader of Maynard; Daughter: JoAnne Bodley and her husband Craig of Postville; Son: LaVern "Sonny" Schrader of Bakersfield, California; Son: LeWayn "John" Schrader of Maynard; Daughter: Jolynn Schrader of Maynard; 3 Grandchildren: Jamie & Elaine Bodley of Postville, Vicki Bodley of Minneapolis, Minnesota & Trent & Tiffany Bodley of Postville; 5 Great Grandchildren: Shelby, Riley, Tierney, Kelby and Traer Bodley; Brother: Ralph and his wife Dodie Bartels of Lansing; 5 Sisters-In-Law: Zelma Bartels of Chicago, Illinois, Beverly "Bartels" Dvorak of Cedar Rapids, Ruth Bartels of Cedar Falls, Lucille Rueber of Fayette & Gladys Hinkel of Oelwein; Godson: Alex Olivares of Bakersfield, California; Numerous other Nieces, Nephews, Relatives and a host of dear friends too many to count. The family wants to say a special thank you to the doctors and nurses at Palmer Memorial Hospital. Words can not say our gratitude to the Heart of Iowa Hospice, Fayette Group, for all their aid in mom's final days.