Richard Schrad

Richard “Dick” Schrad, age 79, passed away on the morning of Saturday, June 18th, at the Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines with family at his side. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 24th, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish/St. Mary’s Church in Marshalltown with Fr. Alan Dietzenbach officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Riverside Cemetery with full military honors by the combined VFW and American Legion Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home with a 7:00 p.m. vigil service. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234. Born on October 1st, 1942, in Carroll, Iowa, he was the son of Floyd and Clara (Wuebker) Schrad. He graduated from St. Bernard's Catholic School, enlisted in the United States Air Force and then used the GI Bill to attend Briar Cliff College in Sioux City graduating with his degree in Social Work. Briar Cliff held a special place in Dick’s heart. Dick served our country honorably in the United States Air Force both stateside and overseas stationed on the Azore Islands off the coast of Portugal. Dick’s military service, combined with the education gained at Briar Cliff, drove his passion to ensure all veterans were well-cared for at the Iowa Veterans Home. He considered it a privilege to serve and honor the residents, making sure that their voices were heard and that the mission of IVH was carried out: “Iowa forgets not the defenders of the Union.” He devoted 30 faithful years to this mission and was still trying to make a difference up to his last days. Dick’s life was easily broken down into his passions; his Catholic faith, his family, veterans and the community. He was a devoted member of the St. Francis Parish, the Archdiocese of Dubuque, the men’s prayer group, and marriage encounters. He and his wife were quite known in the community for having the “Christmas House” on Debra Drive with thousands of lights. He devoted that painstaking project annually to honor God for taking care of his wife Dorothy and allowing her to come home after a life-threatening illness. He also enjoyed card games- especially Pinochle, Rummy 500 and poker; hobbies of woodworking and fishing. Dick was a friend to all and at home around the campfire. Left to cherish his memory are his three children: Deborah (Robert) Jacobsen of Clermont, IA, Douglas (Kristine) of Sergeant Bluff, IA, Daniel of Johnston; daughter-in-law Anita Schrad of Mooresville, NC; grandchildren- Kenan Schrad, Noah Schrad, Logan Schrad, Brandon Hegler, Brittany Hegler, Alison Schrad, Kylie Schrad, Emily Schrad, Leah Schrad, Alycia Jacobsen, Ericka Jacobsen, Haley Jacobsen and Nicole Jacobsen; great-grandson Jonah Jacobsen; sisters Marlene Blevins of Lakeview, IA and Mary (Ron) Anderson of Mora, MN and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In death, Dick rejoined his beloved wife Dorothy, son Devin, sister Jane Wilson, infant brother and his parents.