Service Tuesday, September 9, 2003, 10:00 AM Zion Lutheran Church, Denison, Iowa

Officiating Reverend Kurt Kaiser Reverend David Sewing

Congregational Hymns
"What A Friend We Have In Jesus"
"How Great Thou Art"
"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"
Karen Kahl, Organist

Casketbearers Mike McKinnon, Roger Bissen, Mike Kienast, Bruce Blum, Joshua Linde, David Hintz

Honorary Casketbearers
Denison Volunteer Fire Department
Manning Fire Department

Interment Manning Cemetery, Manning, Iowa

The family wishes to express their appreciation for your kindness evidenced in
thought, word, and deed and invites you to join them in a luncheon at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning following the committal service.
Drivers in a funeral procession must turn on vehicle headlights, drive in a close formation and be alert.

Above: the Manning LaFrance firetruck carrying Doug.

Douglas Gerald, son of Gerald and Joyce (Jensen) Schroeder, was born January 2, 1958, in Sioux City, Iowa. He was raised in Manning and graduated from Manning High School in 1976. During his senior year, Doug also attended building trades courses through Des Moines Area Community College. Following graduation, Doug was employed at Manning Heating and Sheet Metal until the business closed.

On August 20, 1983, Doug was united in marriage with Teresa Johnson at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. They made their home in Manning until 1988 when they moved to Denison. Throughout the years, Doug drove truck, worked as an EMT and most recently held the position of Park Technician at Yellow Smoke Park.

Emergency services were an important part of Doug's life. Doug became a certified EMT in 1982, and volunteered with the Carroll County Ambulance Service in Manning where he also served as director for a while. He subsequently worked as an EMT-I at Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison. Doug was also a member of the Manning Fire Department for 11 years and the Denison Volunteer Fire Department for 14 years. He was an active member of the Iowa Firemen's Association, serving as the District 8 Coordinator for a number of years.

On Saturday, September 6, 2003, Doug died at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll, Iowa, after a valiant fight with cancer. He was 45 years, 8 months and 4 days of age.

Doug was preceded in death by his grandparents and father-in-law Bobbie Johnson.

He is survived by his wife Teresa Schroeder of Denison; parents Gerald and Joyce Schroeder of Manning; sister Darla and husband Greg Neumann of Manning; brother Dana Schroeder of Marietta, Georgia; mother-in-law Virginia Johnson of Manning; sister-in-law Sonia and husband Lynn Nulle of Manning; his nieces and nephews who he loved dearly, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

One night I had a dream. I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and across the skies flashed scenes from my life. In each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One was mine, and one was the Lord's.

When the last scene of my life appeared before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand and to my surprise I noticed that many times along the path of my life there was only one set of footprints. And I noticed that it was at the lowest and saddest times in my life.

I asked the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way. But I notice that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why you left my side when I needed you most."

The Lord replied, "My precious child, I love you and would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, where you see only one set of footprints, I was carrying you."