Kathe 'Oma' Schroeder Took her final journey to be with the Lord and her beloved husband, Reiner, on February 21, 2017. Kathe Weber entered this life on June 16, 1927 in Firrel, Germany. She wasn't the oldest nor the youngest amongst her seven siblings. The loss of her father at a young age and growing up in Germany during World War II taught her patience, perseverance, gave her a competitive spirit, and blessed her with the most kind and caring heart. In 1957, Reiner, the boy Kathe had a crush on from their teenage years in Germany, convinced her to marry him in a US Army Hospital in Neubruke, Germany. The couple had been told that Kathe's entry into the US would go smoother if she were already married to a US citizen. When Reiner left Germany to continue his recuperation in the US, Kathe stayed in Firrel. She followed him several months later when she embarked on her solo journey to the US. Kathe and Reiner were married until his death in 2009. Kathe was the expert on children's shoes working at Zovan's and later as the manager of Stride Rite from the time it opened in Louis Joliet Mall in 1975 until her retirement. During those many years the children of Joliet had the best fitting shoes. Important to Kathe was providing experiences to her children that included summer camping trips in their pop-up, family trips to Germany, and baking the most wonderful cherry pies. Kathe was also quite the competitor. A favorite past-time of the grandchildren was the playing of many a board games. However, there wasn't one grandchild who won any of those games by default, they had to earn the win. Kathe and Reiner took many journeys together; going to Door County for the yearly cherry picking; traveling to Germany every other year to visit family; wintering in Florida with their 5th wheel camper; and the many bike trails they rode at each place they visited. As Kathe embarked on this last solo journey, she leaves many who cherish her memory. Her children: Sandi (John) Tadey, Ron (Lynn) Schroeder, and John (Amy) Schroeder. Her grandchildren: Ryan, Brett and Hannah Tadey (Marcin Swieczka), Andrea (Tony) Hassler and Scott Schroeder, Elizabeth (Scott) Young and Katie (James) Vance, Tyler and Trevor Brodeur. Kathe is also survived by five great grandchildren The family is grateful to the staff and residents of Alden who also became friends of Kathe during the past year. Lying in state St. Peter Lutheran Church, 310 N. Broadway Street, Saturday, February 25, 2017 from 9:00 AM until time of services at 11:00 AM, Rev. Karl Hess officiating. Interment Woodlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Peter Lutheran Church or Joliet Area Community Hospice would be appreciated.