Ruth Ann Schroeder

Ruth Ann Schroeder, age 79, passed away on June 17, 2025, at Harbor Haven in Fond du Lac. She was born on March 4, 1946, to John and Mary (Grishaber) Michalkiewicz, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton. She was one of 7 children born to the couple. She grew up in Menasha and attended St Mary’s High School. After graduating high school, Ruth Ann spent time with her friends. It was on one of those evening adventures that she was introduced to Edward Schroeder, and within 5 months he presented her with a ring and the rest is 57 years of history.

Early in their marriage, the couple lived in Appleton and began their family. In 1997, after the children were out of high school, Ed and Ruth Ann built a house on Virgin Lake in Three Lakes where they then resided for the next 25 years. She was fiercely family oriented and attended nearly every event for her children while they grew up. Her time attending events for her grandchildren was tempered only by the distance to get there. She loved her family and loved spending time with them nurturing them with love and good food. Holidays were always happy times, and her children were the beneficiaries of her generosity while Ed was the “gift wrapper in chief.”

In addition to raising her children, Ruth Ann was a “cat mom” to more than 30 cats in her life. She was truly a cat whisperer. She loved crafts and creative things. She enjoyed ceramics and had a kiln, enjoyed scrapbooking, cooking, and traveling (especially to Walt Disney World), and margaritas by the pool. She enjoyed Coke, loved to tend her plants, and was an excellent cook. She was a natural conversationalist and made everyone around her feel important-she really would talk to anyone-hers was a true gift of gab. She loved the Packers (especially Brett Farve) but that passion couldn't hold a candle to her fervor for Elvis.

Ruth Ann is survived by her husband of 57 years Ed, her children: Jennifer Williams, Jessica (Jeff) Sharkus, Jason (Erin) Schroeder, Jocelyn (Wade Starck) Schroeder; grandchildren: Dasan Williams, Estella Williams, Fallon Williams, Savannah Sharkus, Madelyn Sharkus, Dylan Schroeder, and Lainie Schroeder. She is further survived by her siblings: Tom (Sally) Michalkiewicz, John Michalkiewicz, Judi (Michael) McDowell, David (Linda) Michalkiewicz; brother-in-law Leon Koerner, and other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Ruth Ann is preceded in death by her son Jeremy; her parents; her brother George Michalkiewicz; sister Kathleen Koerner; sisters and brother-in-law: Paula Michalkiewicz, and Rita (John) Sipple as well as parents-in-law Edwin and Agnes Schroeder.

A funeral mass will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 11:00am at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 1617 W Pine Street Appleton. Friends and family may gather at the church from 9:00am until mass begins. Ruth Ann will be laid to rest at St. John’s Cemetery, Menasha. Please wear your most comfortable casual apparel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter in Ruth Ann’s name.

Special thanks from Ruth Ann’s family to Lakeshore Manor in Oshkosh & Harbor Haven Health & Rehabilitation in Fond du Lac for the extraordinary care provided, especially Gabriel for being so amazing.