Martha Jane Schroeder

Martha married the love of her life, Myron Schroeder, in 1971. During more than five decades of marriage, they built a life centered around their family. Through all of life’s changes and challenges, their commitment to one another remained constant, and the family they created together was Martha’s greatest source of pride and happiness.

Martha was known best as Mom and Nana, but she was also a trusted friend, a source of strength, and someone her family could always depend upon. She loved deeply and made a point of ensuring the people in her life knew they were important to her.

She believed strongly in accepting people for who they were. Martha taught her family that there was no single definition of “normal” and that every person and every family was different. She encouraged kindness, inclusion, and compassion for others. Whether it meant sitting with the child who was alone, being a friend to someone who needed one, or volunteering for something that brought happiness, Martha believed small acts of kindness mattered.

Martha and Myron were the parents of three children, Leslie Papp, Kyle (Robyn) Schroeder, and Darcie Culbertson-Schroeder. Martha also considered Jodie Smith a much-loved bonus daughter.

She was a proud grandmother to Ashton Papp, James Papp, Riley Jane Schroeder, Tristen (Saegan) Hall, and Emma Culbertson, and a great-grandmother to Wrenlynn Ivy Hall, Ryann Marie Hall, and Rowan Scott Hall. Few things brought Martha greater happiness than watching her family grow and being part of the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also had a special place in her heart for the family dogs.

Martha spent much of her working life in education, where her natural ability to care for and connect with children served her well. When her own children were young, she worked as a teacher’s aide at Tri-Valley Schools. She later worked at Blue Ridge High School and eventually retired from LeRoy Schools. Over the years, she became part of the lives of many students, families, teachers, and coworkers.

Her work reflected many of the same values she practiced at home. Martha believed children deserved patience, encouragement, acceptance, and someone willing to notice when they needed a little extra kindness. She carried those beliefs throughout both her professional and personal life.

For 13 years, Martha lived with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). She received care from Dr. Gomez and the team at Illinois CancerCare throughout her illness. Although CLL was a significant part of the later years of her life, Martha did not allow her illness to define her. She continued to enjoy her family, celebrate milestones, make memories, and take an active interest in the lives of the people she loved.

Martha was the youngest of four children born to Sigfried and Mary Kilander. She is survived by her brother, Donald (Jo) Kilander of Fargo, North Dakota. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Robert (Margo) Kilander of Willowbrook, Illinois; and her sister, Mary (David) Clevenger of Westmont, Illinois.

Martha’s family extends its sincere gratitude to The Arc at El Paso and Transitions Hospice for the compassionate care, comfort, and dignity provided to Martha and the support shown to her family during her final days.

Martha will be remembered for her devotion to Myron, her love of family, her years spent working with children, her acceptance of others, and her belief that kindness should be extended freely. She leaves behind a family shaped by the values she lived and taught throughout her life.

Above all, Martha made certain her family knew how much they were loved. That love, and the many memories created during a lifetime together, will remain with them always.

To the moon and back.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Martha’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Special Olympics, Pet Central Helps, or Faith in Action of McLean County.

Celebration of life will be held at Woodlawn Country Club, 901 E. Richardson St. Farmer City, IL 61842 on October 4, 2026 from 1-4pm with a time for reflections at 2pm.