Allen Dean Schroder, age 86, peacefully passed away on December 11, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Estherville, Iowa, on August 1, 1937, to Alfred Carl Schroder and Florene Lilly (Lantz) Schroder, he was the eldest of three children, followed by sister, Norma Jeanne and brother, Steven Rodney.
The family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and Allen graduated from Des Moines Technical High School in 1955, where he excelled in basketball. Upon graduation, entering the Residential Masonry Construction Industry and quickly learning the brick, block, and stone laying trade, he eventually launched his own business, Schroder Construction Services, along with wife Sandy, whom he married in 1955.
Finding a niche in the intermediate Commercial Masonry market, Allen became one of Des Moines’ premier Commercial Masonry Contractors, laying 1,000+ brick per day at his peak, later transitioning into an Executive role, as well as Real Estate Developer. Hundreds of residential and commercial buildings in Des Moines and surrounds, have been touched by his expert mark.
One outstanding example is in Valley Junction, West Des Moines-a large brick building built in 1889, once housing a railroad railcar repair facility and ironworks. Over 10 years, Allen skillfully restored the eyesore from the ground up, into his beautifully restored building vision, later becoming home of The Hall (food and beverage hall, plus commissary kitchen) and The Foundry (distillery). This project, along with numerous structures he built or revitalized in the area, makes a wonderful place for people to connect.
Allen continued to make an impact on his community and was a notable example to his family and friends to persist and never be afraid to take a shot, as he learned in his basketball days. Despite all his achievements, Allen was a very charitable and humble man, donating building materials to Habitat for Humanity for instance, and he enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends.
Survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Sandy Schroder; sister, Norma Schroder; son, Mark (Cindy) Schroder; daughters, Janis Epperson and Marjorie Schroder; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, Allen’s legacy lives on. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Steven.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Food Bank of Iowa in Allen's memory.
