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With much sadness we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Dennis Roy Schroeder. Dennis passed away peacefully at home in Chilliwack on July 8, 2009 after a bravely fought battle with cancer.

He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 years, Esther; daughters Linda (Ken) Jones and Kelly (Dale) Braun; grandchildren Jared (Amy) Jones, Erin (Mark) Belsito, Lindsey Jones, Bernadette Lamoureux, Miranda Braun, Cecile (Avery) Heinrichs; great-grandchildren Reilly Lamoureux, Dale Lamoureux, Hunter Lamoureux, Kaitlyn Jones, and Dominic Belsito. He is also survived by brother Marvin (Adele) Schroeder, and sisters Loverna Postlewaite, Joanne (Gerry) Picklyk, and Lorna Schroeder. Dennis was predeceased by his parents Abram and Katherine Schroeder, and by his granddaughter Teresa Dale Braun.

Dennis was born on October 14, 1928 in Herbert Saskatchewan. His family later moved to Speers, Saskatchewan where Dennis finished his schooling and began his training as a telegrapher with the CNR, for which he was employed for 38 years until his retirement in 1985.

He met and fell in love with his wife Esther in Speers, Saskatchewan, and the two were married there on August 16th, 1949.

Railroad life brought with it many moves to various small communities across the prairies and wherever Dennis lived, he willingly contributed to the activities within those communities. He was a member of the Kinsmen Club, the Masonic Lodge, the Lions Club and was active in the United Church for many years. He had a love of sports and was an active participant in baseball, softball, curling, broomball, and golf.

His love of sports was only outdone by his love of music, as he learned to play the guitar as a young man, and later moved on to playing the drums, the base fiddle, the banjo, and the base guitar. He was part of many musical groups throughout his life, beginning with the ‘Haybalers’, the ‘Harmony Aces’, the Macrorie Orchestra, and the Gold Tones as their sound resonated across the prairies.

After his retirement from the railroad, Dennis moved with Esther to Chilliwack and the sounds of their music lived on as they became part of several groups over the years including, The Westernaires, ‘Wee Three’, the ‘Rhythm­aires’ and the ‘Ridge Ramblers’. Their music has been played at many wedding dances and anniversaries over the years, and at seniors dances throughout the Fraser Valley for the past twenty years.

In spite of his illness, Dennis’s spirit shone through as the gentle, kind man that he was.

He lived his life with integrity and was always there to provide and support his family through the good times and the hard times.

The family wishes to thank the Fraser Health Palliative Care support team for their kindness and support through these last few months.

A celebration of Dennis’s life was held on Tuesday, July 14, at Chilliwack United Church with Rev. Doug Ireland officiating. Dennis was laid to rest at Chilliwack Cemeteries. Donations in his memory may be received by the Salvation Army or any charity of your choice.



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