Burleigh Schroeder

Burleigh Lugene Schroeder, of Cascade/Ada, MI went to his heavenly home on October 23rd, 2023, at the age of 93½ at the Oaks Senior Living Facility of Belmont. He was born on April 26th, 1930, and grew up in the Godwin Heights area. The family moved to a farm on 28th Street in Cascade Township in 1946, and his heart was always in agriculture. Burleigh graduated from Lowell High School in 1948, attended Michigan State College (University) and graduated in 1955 with his bachelor’s degree. He completed his master’s degree in 1961 following his service in the Army during the Korean War. Burleigh taught Vocational Agriculture in Gaylord for four years before entering a 38-year career in the insurance field. First with Farm Bureau Insurance, then with his own independent company, Thornapple Insurance Agency. Burleigh loved camping and traveling with his family, taking six-week summer vacations around the country. He enjoyed his early retirement years traveling with his wife Ardith in their motorhomes and going to rallies. He was mechanically minded, loved working on his “hobby” farm, living next door to his parents, and tinkering with his 1940s tractors. Whether it was on a small quiet lake or in Canada with friends, Burleigh loved fishing.

He was a loving husband for nearly 70 years to his late wife, Ardith L. (Fase) Schroeder (deceased August 2022), whom he married on October 23rd, 1952. They had a wonderful life together along with their children, William Schroeder, Patricia Geldersma (deceased June 2014), son-in-law Terry (Virginia) Geldersma, Karen (Gregory) Koenig, and Kenneth Schroeder. His grandchildren whom he adored, Stephen Geldersma, Alexis Geldersma, Lauren (Ryan) Sagorski, Preston Koenig, Madison (Clinton) Chapman, and Rachel Koenig. Burleigh was blessed to be a great-grandfather to Sophia and Maxwell Sagorski and Luka Geldersma. He was preceded in death by his parents Theodore and Clara Schroeder, his twin brother, Burwood, infant son Stephen, and brothers Roger, Donald, and Marvin.

A funeral service will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 2900 Burton St, SE, Grand Rapids on Wednesday, November 1st at 11 am. Visitation will be held one hour prior. A light luncheon reception will follow the service before the interment at Cascade Cemetery, 7200 30th Street SE, Cascade.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church.