Valerie M. Schroetter

WILD ROSE, WIS. - Val Schroetter died peacefully in the arms of her daughter, Naomi, November 8, 2013 surrounded by love. Her four year battle with cancer is finally over. Val was born August 9, 1942 in South Africa. She subsequently moved to England where she spent her childhood and young adulthood, before coming to the United States and settling in Wisconsin. She and her husband Jack would have celebrated their 41st anniversary in March. They have called many places home through their journey in life together including: Bloomer(WI), New Orleans(LA), Southern California and Columbus(WI), before officially becoming snowbirds and spending their summers in Wild Rose(WI) and winters in Santa Rosa(TX). Yes, Gypsies they were. Val loved traveling, cooking, and was a voracious reader. Her true passion was teaching. She went back to school (UW-Eau Claire) in her mid-40’s while battling her first bout of breast cancer. She graduated Suma Cum Laude and began her teaching career in inner city New Orleans, then Southern California and retired from Sun Prairie High School. She felt it was a privilege to mold and shape young minds into productive adults. Nothing gave her greater pleasure than the gift of encouragement to succeed at anything her students chose. She will be sadly missed by her husband Jack Schroetter(John), surviving children, Naomi Bloomer(Pat Donnelly), Mercedes Schroetter(Mr. Lincoln-cat) and grandchildren, Olivia & Stella Bloomer, Nick Gianfreda. There are too many friends and family scattered throughout the world to be mentioned. With them, her stories and memories will continue to be shared. Preceding her in death was her father John Bryce, mother Rhoda McDonald, sons Adrian Gianfreda and Jason Meinen, mother- in- law Margaret Schroetter and uncles Eric and Jim Bryce. There were also a few special pets that she spoke of often-Mischa, Satan, Morgan, Charlie and lastly Sam (of whom she called out for in her last few days). We are sure they will all be together again. At her request, no visitation or service will be held. Rather, this coming summer, a Celebration of Life will be held in Wild Rose, WI. This is what she wanted, a time for family and friends to cherish the moments we shared together while eating, drinking and being merry. The family would like to send special thanks to Meriter Hospital in Madison, Agrace HospiceCare, and Four Winds Manor in Verona for all their help and support. These are the true heroes for patients and families to get through a difficult time with grace, dignity and love. No words can express our gratitude. As there is no formal organization known as, “Do You Know the Difference Between There, Their and They’re or To, Too and Two?”, please feel free to give to a local library, local school, or pick up a book and read to someone. We apologize for any grammatical mistakes. Our mom taught us well, yet we still would have preferred she proofread this one last time. “I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle and end.” - Gilda Radner