Ruth “Ruthie” A. Schroeder, 87, of Hillsboro, died Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at her home in Hillsboro.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, also at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pierron, with Fr. Callistus Osiaga officiating. Interment will be at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Highland.
Mrs. Schroeder was born on Friday, Oct. 7, 1938, in Worcester, MA, the daughter of Henry and Vivien (née Bergeron) Lindberg.
Mrs. Schroeder graduated from Wachusett Regional High School in Holden, MA. After graduation, she attended Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing in Worcester, MA. During the course of study at the nursing school, she worked as a student nurse at Hahnemann Hospital. After graduating, she worked full-time at Hahnemann Hospital. The beaches of New Hampshire and Massachusetts beckoned and she took advantage of an offer from Exeter Hospital in Exeter, NH. She worked there until her marriage.
On Saturday, Sept. 17, 1966, she married William Charles Schroeder at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Princeton, MA and he survives.
Mrs. Schroeder was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She was also a member of the Illinois Nurses Association, a Patron Life Member of the National Rifle Association, an Endowment Life Member of the Illinois State Rifle Association and a member of the Highland Pistol and Rifle Club, where she served for ten years as treasurer and 15 years as secretary.
After marrying, the couple moved to Lake Road in Highland and Mrs. Schroeder started working at St. Joseph Hospital in Highland. While working at the hospital, she became part of the newly organized Highland Home Health Care. She worked there for many years as a visiting nurse. After 30 years of combined service with the hospital and home health, Mrs. Schroeder retired from the medical field and turned to the tax preparation field. She found the tax preparation interesting and challenging. She worked for H&R Block for six years. By this time, Ruth and Bill had moved to Montgomery County near Hillsboro. Living there, she kept busy with their new home and spent many days tending her flower and vegetable gardens. Her dogs always demanded her time.
Mrs. Schroeder is survived by her husband, William “Red” “Bill” C. Schroeder of Hillsboro.
Mrs. Schroeder was preceded in death by her parents, Henry J. Lindberg on Feb. 22, 1981 and Vivien E. (née Bergeron) Lindberg on April 30, 2013; and a brother, John H. Lindberg, on May 2, 1983.
Memorial contributions may be made to Highland Animal Shelter or Partners for Pets. Condolences may be left online at www.spengel-boulanger.com.
