Joyce E. Schroeder, 98, of Flandreau, passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Funeral services were held at 2:00PM on Monday, June 17, 2024 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Flandreau. Visitation will took place from 3:00PM to 5:00PM on Sunday, June 16, 2024 at Skroch Funeral Chapel in Flandreau.
Joyce Elaine Waxdahl was one of the many babies born at Mrs. Burdick’s Maternity Home in Flandreau, SD. She was born on March 12, 1926 to her parents, Creston and Dorothy (Weigel) Waxdahl. She was baptized by the first pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Reverend Blilie. She was later confirmed and married at Our Savior’s Lutheran as well; she was an active member there her whole life.
She attended country school for eight years at Sunny Hill Country School and graduated from Egan High School class of 1944; she then went on to attend Augustana University for two years.
She met her future husband, Virtus Schroeder when she was 12 years old. Virtus started to work as her father’s hired man for three years until he was drafted into the US Army Infantry for the next three years. When the war was over, he came home right at corn picking time so he had his old job once again.
Joyce had grown up during those years and they started dating and fell in love. They were married on October 6, 1946 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Flandreau.
Her parents moved to town and took over the farm in partnership with them until her father, Creston died.
Virtus and Joyce had three children; Dale, Helen, and Glenda who along with their grandchildren were the joy of their lives.
She helped on the farm and was an active member of the community and in school events when the children were growing up. She also liked to cook, bake, garden, and sew. She made many of the clothes they wore through the years and was very active in the quilting group at church. She taught Sunday School for 25 years and has held offices in WELCA, church council, choir and bible study circles. She belonged to the Square Deal Club, PTA, Egan Legion Auxilary, and the Egan Cemetery Association.
Grateful for having shared in her life are her children, Dale (Becky) Schroeder, Flandreau, SD, Helen (Joe) Block, Sioux Falls, SD, and Glenda (David) Derdall, Volga, SD; grandchildren, Creston, Keith, Collin (Rachel) Block, Peter, Claire (Chris) Lee, and Lucas Derdall; great-grandson, Connor Block; two additional great-grandchildren coming in July; nephews and nieces, Clark, Keith, Diane, and Miriam Dailey, Joanne Griebel, and Louise Mack; and many other family and friends who loved her.
Preceded in death by her parents Creston and Dorothy Waxdahl; husband, Virtus Schroeder; sister, Doris Dailey; and grandson Travis Sass.
In memory of Joyce, please consider a memorial donation to the Moody County Historical Society, Hillside Cemetery Association, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, and Dougherty Hospice.
