Larry L. Schroeder, 79, of Fairbury, Nebraska died Saturday, December 23, 2017, at the Jefferson Community Health & Life Hospital in Fairbury, Nebraska with his family by his side. Services will be at 1 : 30 Friday at Wyuka Funeral Home in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Larry was born August 14, 1938, in Beatrice, Nebraska, the son of Harlan and Alice Schroeder. He grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska and graduated from Lincoln High. While in school and after graduating, he worked as a clerk at Hinky Dinky grocery store and was also part of The Nebraska National Guard. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Kathryn (Kate) Schaffer and they were united in marriage on August 30, 1959. They recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. They started their family in Lincoln and then moved to Grand Island, Nebraska in 1965 when Larry became the manager of the Hinky Dinky grocery store there. He received numerous awards for his outstanding work within the grocery store chain. He was made a District Supervisor of Hinky Dinky stores, but this required him to travel and be away from his family, which he didn’t enjoy. This is when he became manager of the new Hinky Dinky store that was being built in Grand Island. They remained in Grand Island to raise their family. During his time in Grand Island, Larry was a member of the Jaycees where he received an Outstanding Bosses Award, was President of The Cosmopolitan Club, Toastmasters, The Chamber of Commerce, and was also the President of the Gates School PTA and was made a lifetime member of the Nebraska State PTA. In November of 1982, Larry pursued his dream of owning his own grocery store, Schroeder’s Jack & Jill. It is this dream that brought Larry and Kate to Fairbury, Nebraska.
Larry had a gift with people and those that had the opportunity to work with him found they respected and loved him for his kind nature and leadership. He was a great businessman and knew the secrets of running a successful grocery business. Larry also had the gift of craftsmanship. He took on many projects which involved remodeling, painting, wallpapering, and constructing. He was very handy which gave him the nickname of Mr. Fix-It by his granddaughters. He had a great eye for detail. When not working or tinkering, you could find him out on the golf course. He enjoyed golfing for many years until his deteriorating health made that difficult. Most importantly, Larry was a loving family man. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren wholeheartedly and would give them all the world if he could. He was always willing to help in any way needed. Larry earned the name of Bompo from his grandchildren, only because his first grandchild couldn’t say grandpa and it came out Bompo. It’s a name that stuck through the next four granddaughters and he was more than proud to be called Bompo.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 58 years, Kate Schroeder; his son Craig of Fairbury and daughter and son-in-law Lori and Gus Patsios of St. Paul, Nebraska; two brothers and sister-in-laws, Jim and Vicki Schroeder of Omaha and John and Karen Schroeder of Lincoln along with a sister and brother-in-law Judy and Randy Johnson of Lincoln; and his grandchildren, Bailey (Patsios) Aupperlee and husband Jeremy of Grand Island, Sydney Schroeder of Lincoln, Morgan Schroeder of Fairbury, Demi Patsios of Lincoln, and Taylor Schroeder of Lincoln; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Larry was welcomed into heaven by his parents, and two sisters, Janice and Shirley. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.wyuka.com
We were so sorry to hear about Larry’s passing. We were blessed to know him, and he will truly be missed by everyone. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kate and family so sorry to hear of Larry`s passing we all had some great times years ago at wood cliff. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kate so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing, we were unaware of his declining health. Sad that we have lost touch with you, we so enjoyed getting together with you guys for golf & fun.
Stan has precious memories of Larry and him working together at Hinky Dinky.
Larry was a special guy to many people & was always like by all who he met.
We regret that we are not in Nebraska to attend his service but will be with you and your family in thought and prayer.
We are so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. Our deepest sympathy.
I remember Larry very well, even though he was much older. He and my father got along like buds. He ran a good, clean store ( Hinky-Dinky on Second St.) while in Grand Island. Very nice man. A couple of older siblings worked for Larry. We shopped there pretty much exclusively, mainly due to Larry. Herb Roeser’s Jack & Jill franchise store was catty-corner across Broadwell St. Later, Safeway joined up, just west of H.D. Jake’s Apco and Nimano’s Pizza, were across the street. Lots of groceries were sold at 2nd & Broadwell ! I remember the H.D. construction in 1963-64, and the first cable TV venture rented the slot on the east end of the H.D. Building.
We really were sorry when Larry left GI –but happy he got his own store in Fairbury.
There were quite a few people who worked with and for Larry at H.D., that went on to do good things in life. A few are still around GI. They always speak highly of Larry. My best to the family.
“Another Lincoln High Job Well Done.”
I worked for Larry (and with Craig) at Hinky Dinky while attending high school in Grand Island. He was one of the kindest, nicest bosses I have ever had. I am so sorry to hear of his passing and will keep Larry and his family in my prayers.
Kate Craig and Family
Sorry to hear of Larry.I remember some great days as a Nash Finch Retailer where we would enjoy retailer trips and an occasional round of golf . He was a great independent in his day and I always enjoyed our business relationship.
God bless you all
Bob DeStefano
To Larry’s wife, children and grandchildren:
I am sorry for your loss. Larry was my boss at Hinky Dinky in Grand Island–I believe during high school and my first year of college on weekends. He was a good boss. It looks like he lived a full life.
My prayers are with your family,
-Annette Kenney M.D.
I am so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you Kate.
Dear Kate and family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this sorrowful time.
Larry was a good friend and great man.
Kate and family,
So sorry to learn of Larry’s passing. He truly epitomized professionalism and customer service, friendship and family values. Grand Island’s loss was Fairbury’s gain and although he is gone from this earth, he leaves his legacy in his wonderful and loving family. god grant eternal rest to his soul, and comfort to his family.
Robert “Fritz” and Judith Kluge
So sorry to here of Larry’s passing.He really had an impact on my life thru the late 1960’s.My prayers are with you and your family.
I am deeply saddened to hear of Larry’s passing. I worked for him at Jack and Jill when they first came to Fairbury. Larry was such a wonderful person to work for always kind and considerate. That has always been one of my favorite jobs. My sincere thoughts and prayers to his wife Kate, son Craig and entire family.
I was one of the regular customers at Jack and Jill in Fairbury. The Schroeders were always helpful and friendly, and seemed like family. Miss the store to this day. My family shopped there ever since I was a kid and it was Safeway.
Condolences to the Schroeder family.
I was sorry to hear of Larry’s passing and extend my prayers and condolences to his family. I hadn’t seen Larry in many years but first became aquainted with him at Hinky Dinky. After getting my first Store Manager position at the Hastings Hinky Dinky, I would often go up to Grand Island to talk to Larry for advice. What a great guy.
Dear Kate, Craig, Lori,and family. I was sad to hear about Larry’s passing. While reading the obituary I was glad to here Larry had a nickname Bompo. I credit Larry with giving me my nickname Scooter. Your family was my first contact, friends, when our family moved to G.I.. My Wife Dana and I will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
To Larry Schroeder’s family: I worked for Larry at the Hinky Dinky store in Grand Island during high school and college summers. He was a wonderful boss and man. He set high standards for his employees but always with a smile and kind approach and I learned a strong work ethic under his tutelage. It was always fun to visit the store after I moved on and catch up with him. He remembered every past employee and always took the time for a visit. I am sorry for your loss and I thank you for the lengthy obituary. I might have missed his passing otherwise. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m sorry to hear of Larry’s passing and wish to extend my sympathies to his family.
I was fresh out of high school when Larry hired me at the Grand Island Hinky Dinky. He took me under his wing and taught me so much during the time I was there. I credit him for taking the time to train this young kid still wet behind the ears (so to speak). I will always remember the impact he had on me during the early 70’s. Larry was one of the best, not only as a boss but, as a person who would listen and understand.
My prayers are with you and your family.