Ila "Cookie" Schroeder, age 75, of Alexandria, SD, died Saturday June 25, 2011 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at St. Mary of Mercy Catholic Church in Alexandria with burial at St. Mary of Mercy Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday June 28, 2011 at St. Mary of Mercy Catholic Church with a rosary service followed by a scripture service beginning at 7:00 PM Tuesday. Arrangements are under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel. Ila Ann Koch, daughter of German immigrants Theodore and Anna (Meier) Koch, was born September 3, 1935 in Salem, SD. She attended rural school 1st through the 4th grades and the remainder of her elementary grades at St. Mary's Parochial School in Salem, SD. Ila graduated from St. Mary's High School in Salem. She then attended Presentation School of Nursing and graduated as an R.N. with the St. Joseph's Unit in Mitchell in 1956. Ila was united in marriage with John L. Schroeder on October 22, 1956 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Salem, SD. The couple took up residence on the Schroeder family farm near Alexandria, where they have resided all of their life. Ila worked part-time nights and did Private Duty Nursing at St. Joseph's Hospital for a short time. She then worked as School Health Nurse for Hanson School District from 1968 to 1992, retiring after 24 years of service due to health problems. She was a member of St. Mary of Mercy Catholic Church, served as both president and promoter of Sacred Heart League, as a C.C.D. teacher and lector. Ila was Co-founder and served as Secretary of the Marian Manor Inc. She served as Co-ordinator in the First Aid Station at the Fatima Family Congresses held annually at the Shrine from 1987 to 2003, under the direction of Fr. R.J. Fox. Ila served as Sec/Treas of the Lake Hanson Association, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, where she served as president, South Dakota Girl's State Nurse from 1972 to 1977 and was a member of the South Dakota Girl's State Corporation. Family activities made for happy family farm life. "Always placing all our Trust In God." Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, John, Alexandria, SD; five children, Bernie (Mary) Schroeder, Alexandria, SD, Deb (Scott) Bender, Fulton, SD, Steve (Walipawn) Schroeder, Alexandria, SD, Brenda (Gary) Steilen, Alexandria, SD, Sandy (Ray) Scheuren, Spencer, SD; 16 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; a brother, Hubert (Alice) Koch, Salem, SD; two sisters, Doris (Gene) Cumbee, Salem, SD, Mary Ann (Ken) Cross, Sioux Falls, SD; two sisters-in-law, Marilyn Koch, Pierre, SD, Jeanette Koch, Salem, SD; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Tony and Carl Koch; a granddaughter, Kristen Schroeder and a grandson, Joshua Schroeder. Memorials are to be directed to the Carmelite Monastery, and upkeep of the Fatima Family Shrine in Alexandria.
