John Schrader

John Clifford Schrader, 95, of Prescott, Iowa was received into heaven on November 27th, 2022 with family by his side. Graveside services for family and friends will be 11:00 AM, Friday, December 2, 2022 at the Carl Cemetery in Adams County. All are invited to a luncheon at the Prescott Disciples of Christ Church in Prescott, following the graveside service. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department or the Prescott Volunteer Fire Department. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com. Pearson Family Funeral Service and Cremation Center of Creston assisted with the arrangements.

John, or Cliff as his mom called him, was born on August 2, 1927 to Otto and Golda (Gipple) Schrader. He grew up on the family farm located south of Bridgewater on the Adair-Adams County line. He attended a one room country school, Perry Grove Carl #2. He attended Bridgewater High School, graduating valedictorian of his senior class in 1944.

After school, he joined the US Army, and was stationed in Japan during the end of WW2.

Upon his return to Iowa, he was introduced to a young lady from Fontanelle, Lola Marjorie Dunkerson. They were united in marriage in 1955 and celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on April 23rd of this year.

He was a farmer who worked from dawn to dusk, a breadwinner who provided well for his family, and a husband who loved his wife and children.

A few of John’s favorites were his Super MTA tractor, visiting with neighbors at Alfred’s store in Carl, Saturday nights at Bridgewater, listening to Paul Harvey and Billy Graham, potato chips and Mountain Dew, and a bowl of ice cream before turning in at night.

He loved the land he farmed and could have won awards for his contour planting skills and conservation of the soil. He thrived on hard work but always kept Sunday as the day of rest, and time to enjoy the fried chicken dinner family get togethers. Bologna sandwiches and popcorn were staples of Sunday nights. He said his purpose on earth was to take care of God’s land and that’s what he did.

When it came time to retire, it could only be “on paper” as John farmed until he was physically unable, then he asked daily about the farm and his son David who had farmed with him since a young age, and will carry on the torch for the Schrader family farm.

John will be dearly missed by his wife, Lola; children: Denice (David) Brownrigg, David (Debra) Schrader, and Diane (Mike) England; 10 Grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Dallas (Elma) Schrader; and sister, Marilyn Dahlof.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his youngest brother, Edward; his brothers-in-law Donald Dahlof and Ronald Dunkerson; a grandchild, Kristin Hanna; and a great-grandchild Jacob Wiese.

May he rest in peace.