Margaret "Bernie" Schade

Margaret “Bernie” Schade, 1921 - 2016

Margaret Bernadine “Bernie” (Richter) Schade, 94, of Rockford died March 31, 2016 at Brookdale Senior Living Center. Born May 3, 1921 in Lancaster, WI the daughter of Frank and Laura (Schuhart) Richter. She graduated from St. Clement’s High School in 1939. Married her loving husband William John “Jack” Schade in Lancaster, WI on August 2, 1941. Upon his completion of Chiropractic College and Naval service, they eventually settled in Oregon IL, and moved to Rockford in 1958. While Bernie loved to garden, sew, bake and paint ceramics, her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Family was her greatest passion as she lovingly raised 11 children. She also enjoyed reading, playing card games and Scrabble with her large family. Bernie will be remembered with much love and affection by her family and friends.

The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support in many heart-felt ways from too many people to name individually, but including: the staff at Brookdale Senior Center and Heartland Hospice.

Survivors include her nine children: William John III (Trudy) of Windsor, CO., Helen (Russell Sr.) Dennis of Rockford, Linda (Kirby) Johnson of Roscoe, Thomas (Diane) of Rockford, Joseph (Fiancé Lisa White) of Rockford, Robert (Jennifer) of Somerville, AL, Joyce (John) McBride of Machesney Park, Roger (Judy) of Rockford and Patricia (Richard) Skibbe of Des Moines, IA; son-in-law, Robert Gray, of Rockford; 39 grandchildren, 64 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren; brothers, Frances “Bud” Richter of Kieler, WI and Marcus Richter of Platteville, WI and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by an infant daughter, Joan Ann, on June 19, 1949; her husband, on April 6, 1988; son, David on April 22, 1997; daughter, Mary Gray on September 26, 2015 and her sisters, Kathleen Griffis and Helen Koeller.

Visitations will be held on Friday, April 8 from 5-7 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel 1860 S. Mulford Rd. and also on Saturday, April 9 at the Church from 10-11 a.m. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at Berean Baptist Church, 5626 Safford Rd, Rockford, IL 61101. Burial will be held that afternoon in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Oregon.
Donations, in memory of Bernie, may be made to the Rockford Rescue Mission.