Lou Ann (Roberge) Schrader

Lou Ann Schrader (Roberge) was born in Saginaw, Michigan, the youngest of five girls (Gail, Skip, Donna & Aline).  She grew up a nerd and band geek in Bridgeport, Michigan with her life-long friend Leanne Clift (Hagerl).  She could be described as beautiful, sweet, and fun.  She attended Delta Community College and Saginaw Business School. 

Working as a receptionist in the emergency room, at the former St. Luke’s Hospital, she met Ken, a sarcastic, inappropriate ambulance driver, and future police officer.  To the disbelief of many, they started dating.  She stated that he brought her flowers all the time.  It was later discovered that he also worked in a funeral home, which provided him with these beautiful gestures that would eventually win her over and lead to their marriage in 1977.  A year later, they moved to Boyne City and built their house together.

Lou and Ken decided they needed children and after their first daughter Ashley they continued with three more over an 8-year time span.  Leeann Emeott (Husband Matthew) Dustin, and Nicholas.  

Her working career was completed at St. Luke’s Hospital, Saginaw County Prosecutors Office, 2 Saginaw Area Attorneys, Honeywell Aerospace, Harbor House Publishing, Wayne Wire, and Charlevoix Airport over a 42-year span.  She balanced good work ethic with even greater family values and togetherness. 

 Schrader life as a family of 6 would best be described as humorous, eventful, boisterous, and loving.  Considered the quietest and least offensive one, Lou Ann held the family together.  She kept everyone in check and made sure the group was happy and taken care of.  Family days and vacations were a constant, from camping at state parks; skiing days at the mountain; rollercoasters; waterparks; pool and dart tournaments in the basement; bowling; hot tub soaks; Euchre tournaments; eating chicken parmesan pizza in the park; bicycling; lots of road trips to touristy places; and the family favorite of the island of St. Maarten.  But it wasn’t just family experiencing this, everyone was welcome at the Schrader house.  Guests were guaranteed a unique experience filled with laughter and fueled by specialty drinks in her world class glass collection with a side of homemade cookies.

As her children got older, her attention shifted from their shenanigans to racking up airline points traveling to Ft Lauderdale, Florida and Olathe, Kansas to see her grandchildren.  Even being over a thousand miles away did not stop her from developing a close and loving relationship with her six grandkids; Bryce 14 and Reece 12 (Ashley’s) in Florida and Madalynn 15, Kennedy 12, Parker 8, and Isabelle 4 (Leeann and Matt’s) in Kansas (recently moved to Midland, Michigan).  She spoiled them rotten with more clothing and toys than an FAO Schwarz could handle in their inventory!  They grew up grateful for these items but even more grateful for the time, attention, and knowledge she gave to each of them.  She never missed a birthday, singing an off-key happy birthday every year.  She would go to numerous sporting events, award ceremonies, and talent shows. She taught them how to swim, play cards, and helped with crafting projects. She was their number one cheerleader!

Lou Ann kept active in the last years of her life with shopping, scrapbooking, camping, kayaking, and maintaining a 5-star rating as an Airbnb host.  Being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February 2021 was alarming but she took on the challenge like a bull.  Maintaining a positive attitude and fighting to the very end, she died in the same home that she helped to build 43 years ago.  She spent her last day with her entire family celebrating Thanksgiving, giving guidance on the Christmas decorations, and listening to them argue over boardgame winners and Euchre cards played with bad luck partners.  Her 67 years of life were amazing, almost as much as the person she was and will be remembered as.

She will be missed very much.

A celebration of her life will be held sometime after Christmas and before New Year’s Eve.

Donations may be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

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