Eldora was born on February 18, 1931 to Joseph and Julia (Tupa) Pechan in Tabor, South Dakota. On April 15, 1950 she married David Wilfred Schroeder in Marshall and they raised their four children there.
Eldora’s work career included the Swift & Co, Marshall Produce, Marshall Meats, Marshall Fur Farm, Marshall Independent and Kelco. When it was approved to build the new Marshall Senior High School in 1967 Eldora was determined to apply for a job there. However she did not have the high school diploma that was required and one of her greatest accomplishments was obtaining her GED at age 39. She was hired as a custodian in 1970 and was employed there for 23 years, retiring in March of 1993. During that time she also obtained her boilerman’s license so she could advance to be a maintenance technician.
Working full time at the school wasn’t enough for El – she also enjoyed a home-based seamstress business, called El’s Hideaway. She made many wedding ensembles including the brides dress, bridesmaid and flower girl dresses.
Eldora maintained a rose garden along the backyard foundation of their home for many years. El also enjoyed feeding the birds and kept a birding journal of when various birds arrived in the Spring. In the winter months she would keep a bird bath of fresh heated water on the patio.
Eldora died on Thursday, July 6, 2017, at the Minneota Manor in Minneota. She is survived by her husband David W., her children Dave (and Marcia ) of Marshall, Mike (and Lil) of Marshall, Greg (and Carla) of Plymouth and Julieann (and Michael McCarney) of Plymouth, seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, sisters Shirley Savage of Old Hickory, Tennessee, Marilyn (and Gene) Van Cura of Wabasha, Garnita (and Thomas II) Cross of St. Francis and Carolyn Meiners of Minneota, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.
