Andrew James Schroeder

Andrew James Andy Schroeder, 50, of Dubuque and formerly of Bellevue, passed away Sunday, December 29, 2013 at home surrounded by his family. A Mass of Christian Burial for Andy will be held at 10:30AM Thursday, January 2, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bellevue. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00PM Wednesday evening at the Hachmann Funeral Home in Bellevue, and again Thursday morning from 9:00-10:00AM at the funeral home. Andy was born on August 5, 1963 in Bellevue, Iowa, to James Jim and Margaret Peg (Roeder) Schroeder. Andy was a graduate of Bellevue Community High School, Kirkwood Community College, Northeast Iowa Community College and Clinton Community College. He had been employed by Colonial Terrace Animal Hospital since 1994. Prior to that he had been a camp counselor at Albrecht Acres. He was also a registered EMT. Andy was a dedicated volunteer at the American Red Cross in Dubuque. He was the recipient of their Administrative Support Award in 2000 and their Health & Safety Volunteer of the Year Award in 2006. He also volunteered at Camp Courageous, receiving the Tall Pine Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Andy loved dogs, emergency services, spaghetti and the written word. He was a talented creative writer and a voracious reader. A favorite family story involved Andy reading a phone book in a hotel room as a child and Dad commenting that although it probably didnt have much of a plot, it sure had a lot of characters! Andy was a gentle soul who overcame countless obstacles. He met lifes challenges with determination, a strong will and a wicked sense of humor. Those left to honor his memory include his mother, Peg Schroeder, of Bellevue; sisters Molly Issen of Fulton, IL and Katy (Kurt) Timmerman of Mundelein, IL; brothers Tony (Jayne) Schroeder and Dan (Julie) Schroeder, both of Bellevue; 11 nieces and nephews and six great-nieces. He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents. Memorials in Andys honor may be given to the American Red Cross of the Tri-States Chapter, Dubuque Regional Humane Society or Camp Courageous of Iowa. The family would like to thank the Hospice of Dubuque nurses for their support, advice and loving concern. They also express gratitude to the late Dr. Jim Stark at Colonial Terrace for believing in Andy for so many years.Reception:Horizon Hall970 North Riverview StreetBellevue, IA 52031