Ralph E. Schroeder, age 82, of Wells, died on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2005, at United Hospital in Blue Earth. He had resided at Parker Oaks Nursing Home in Winnebago since April, 2005.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wells, with the Rev. Paul Baker officiating. Visitation will be held at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells on Friday, Aug. 19, from 5 to 8 p.m., and one hour prior to services at church on Saturday. Interment will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Wells, with military honors by the Wells Color Guard.

Ralph E. Schroeder was born Dec. 17, 1922 in Wells, the son of Carl and Minnie (Gabriel) Schroeder. He lived most of his life in Wells, graduating from Wells High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II in the European Theater and was honorably discharged. He drove a cement truck for several years prior to working at Wilson Foods in Albert Lea for over 30 years. He also filled in at the Post Office. He drove for Hospice and dealer trades for Wells Ford. Ralph and Audrey managed the Rainbow Group Home in Hayward for several years.

He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells, the Wells VFW and American Legion Posts, a member of the 351st Bomb Group Association, 8th Air Force.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting

and camping; and was a Den Father in Cub Scouts.

He is survived by his wife: Audrey of Wells; daughter, Rennae and her husband Douglas Krentz of Walnut Grove, Minn.; and three grandchildren: Rustan and her husband Brian Vote of Sleepy Eye, Minn., Victoria Krentz of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and Peter Krentz of Walnut Grove, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sons: Joseph and Travis, and Timothy in infancy; one daughter, Rosanne, in infancy; and two brothers: Elvoy Schroeder, and LeRoy in infancy.