Joyce Ellen Glaum Schroeder's Obituary
Joyce Ellen Glaum Schroeder, 85, of St. Petersburg, FL, passed away June 27, 2025. She was an amazing devout woman who lived a purposeful life. Constantly learning, teaching, and inspiring everyone she met. She is loved by many and will be missed by all.
Joyce was born in Chicago, IL on July 26, 1939 the daughter of the late Fredrick and Wilhelmina (Hugh) Glaum. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Donald (Don) Charles Schroeder and her sister Helena (Helen) Zuchowski of Fox Lake, IL. She also be missed by her beloved brother Larry Glaum of Honaunau, Hawaii.
Joyce married Don Schroeder on December 31, 1957. They were together for 52 years until Don passed away on February 10, 2009. They had 3 children, Terry (Sunny) Schroeder, Vicki (Ken) Kladnik and Thomas (Joanne) Schroeder and six grandchildren whom she loved and helped raise and eight great-grandchildren who she adored and blessed with two great-great-grandchildren who she treasured. She loved her family immensely and prayed for all of them daily.
When Joyce was young she went to nursing school. Almost to the finals she decided it wasn’t for her. Changing her path she went to “Ford Beauty School”. Once she graduated and with Don’s help, she owned and operated three beauty shops in downtown Chicago. After she sold the beauty shops she decided to go back to school again but this time as an instructor for hairdressers. During this time she also counseled people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Always wanting and willing to help serve as an advisor. Though busy she always found time to stand up for herself and others. Protesting when ever she saw an injustice all the way up to her 85th year.
Joyce and Don decided to move the family from Chicago in 1977 to St. Petersburg, Florida. They bought a house on a half acre of land named it “Joy’s Half Acre”, found their church, got jobs and settled into Florida life boating on weekends.
They began a new adventure on “Joys Half Acre” raising a herd of Nubian goats. Joyce enjoyed traveling to fairs all over the country to show her best goats. Winning many grand championships throughout the years. Joyce was very proud of her business, selling gallons of goats milk and pounds of goat cheese that she had made. She shared her goat farm knowledge by volunteering to schools, summer camps and 4-H clubs around the county. Educating others how to care for goats, how to milk them and craft delicious goat cheese. Years later she would she run into students who would tell her how special it was for them to apart of those classes. Although it was difficult to vacation with the herd they did find ways to travel. Often taking a grandchild or two with them on their adventures. After they sold the herd and Don passed away, Joyce focused on expanding her knowledge of God, theology, politics and her health. Her family and God were most important to her. She went to Grace Lutheran Church bible study weekly and on Sundays she would go to church faithfully taking as many grandchildren with her as she could. Always educating the importance of God. She was the matriarch of our family and will be missed forever.
Visitation will be held Thursday, July 10th 6 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home 5750 49th Street N. St. Petersburg, FL. Church service will be held Friday, July 11th 1 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 4301 - 16th Street N. St. Petersburg, FL. Internment following at Memorial Park 5750 49th Street N., St. Petersburg, FL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joyce's memory to Grace Lutheran Church.
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