Gloria Ann Schroeder

After enduring and fighting major illnesses at seven medical facilities in 10 months, Gloria’s fight ended on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, with her two sons by her side. Despite her suffering, she wanted to get well and go on living with her two cats at her own home in Merced, California. However, God called her to her eternal home in heaven.

Gloria was born in rural Sweet Springs, Missouri, to Louis and Onita Rehmsmeyer Pinkepank on October 24, 1932. She was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sweet Springs, Missouri, and Confirmed her faith at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marshall, Missouri, where she was active in the Walter League. Gloria graduated from Marshall High School in 1950 where she played high school softball. On November 12, 1950, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church she married her sweetheart, Leon Schroeder. Gloria and Leon would continue living in Missouri, until moving to Merced, California, in the summer of 1964 with their two sons. Although she was a housewife most of her life, she had also worked at a soda fountain, a shoe factory and a chicken processing plant. She was an elections officer and worked in stores doing food demonstrations. Later in life, Gloria decided to continue her education and attended Merced College. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Merced.

Gloria had many interests and hobbies. They included gardening (especially hanging plants, Irises, and Crepe Myrtle trees), reading the newspaper and watching shopping and animal channels (especially ones with big cats, her favorite being the Bengal tiger). She enjoyed fishing, playing the card game pitch, jogging, playing the slot machines, dining out, plaster crafts, water aerobics and jewelry.

Gloria was a sweet, kind and godly woman. She loved her two sons, her late husband and her cats. She will be sorely missed.

Gloria is survived by her two sons, Stanley and Steven Schroeder of Merced, California, one sister, Norma Humphreys of Marshall, Missouri, and her beloved cats, Shasta and Sprite. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends who continued praying for her recovery.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 56 years, Leon Schroeder, two brothers, Wilbert and Raymond Pinkepank and one sister, Aileen Blumhorst.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting a memorial may be given in her memory through the funeral home, Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B Street, Merced, California, 95341-6304. Memorials will be used to care for Gloria’s cats, Shasta and Sprite.

Please join us in remembering Gloria Ann Schroder by visiting our Memorial at www.stratfordevansfunerals.com

Through this site, we invite you to view and share cherished photos and videos, share fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Schroeder Family or share the obituary with others via social media and email. Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Diana Narravo, Funeral Arranger.