Hanna Rae Kechter Schoeler

Born May 22, 1925, in Wellington, Colorado, Hanna was the daughter of early Northern Colorado settlers Fred and Lydia Foos. She grew up alongside five brothers and three sisters, and graduated from Fort Collins High School. From her earliest years, Hanna was known as a beloved presence- kind-hearted, helpful, and joyful in the everyday ways that quietly shape a home and a life.

Hanna married Arnold Kechter in Fort Collins on January 12, 1947. Together they built a family grounded in faithful love and devotion. She was a wonderful and loving parent to three children: Ronald (Kathy), Karen (Jim), and Cindy (Steve). In time, three more generations joined the family. Hanna’s care was constant and personal- she read stories to her children before bed, and as they grew into adulthood, she continued to speak with them daily by phone, keeping close the bonds she had so faithfully nurtured. Hanna remarried in 1978, to "Bud" Schoeler.

Hanna served as an elementary school secretary at Laporte Avenue School/Fullana, though those who knew her understood she was far more than a secretary. With a generous spirit and a great listening ear, she tended to scraped knees and worried hearts alike, offering calm attention and practical kindness. Alongside her work, she poured herself into her roles as wife, mother, homemaker, and active member of her church community- always ready to serve, always ready to listen.

A faithful follower of Jesus, Hanna kept Him at the center of her life, and prayed fervently each day. She read her Bible daily and carried Scripture in her heart. Her devotion was also lived out through years of committed service at Peak Community Church, where she attended with dedication, counted tithes and offerings for many years, taught Sunday School, and arranged funeral receptions as a way of caring for families in times of loss. Her kindness was not reserved for special occasions; it was a steady habit of love- often expressed through a meal made for others, a phone call, a card of encouragement, and being a welcoming presence.

Hanna found joy in the simple and meaningful rhythms of life: spending time with family and friends, word searches and crossword puzzles from the local newspaper, cooking, sewing, walking, gardening, watching David Jeremiah and good movies, and enjoying Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. She loved playing cards with family for fun, and treasured conversation- especially talking on the phone, a small daily practice that reflected her enduring attentiveness to the people she loved. She also had a beautiful soprano voice, a gift that added warmth and grace to the life around her, and she delighted in cheering on the Denver Broncos on NFL Sundays.

Travel and family were closely intertwined for Hanna. She and Arnold journeyed to New Orleans to visit Ron and his family while he was stationed there. The family also made regular trips to Scottsbluff to see Uncle Harry and Aunt Mary, and Hanna dearly loved traveling to Idaho to visit Cindy and her family. Each trip was another way she expressed her faithful consistency that marked her life.

To those who loved her, Hanna was a loving and caring mother, aunt, grandma, and friend—a beloved presence with a beautiful smile and a gentle strength. She will be remembered as a true Christian role model whose life consistently pointed to the Lord she loved so deeply.

Hanna is survived by her three children, 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in passing by her parents, her siblings, her husbands, and by 1 great-grandchild.

A Memorial Service for Hanna will be held Saturday, October 17th, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Peak Community Church, 500 Matthews St, Fort Collins.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial gifts may be made to Compassion International, a group Hanna herself supported throughout her life.

“We love her greatly and will miss her always. She loved our Lord Jesus with all her heart and shared Him with everyone and desired all to come to Him and be in Heaven one day, too!”