Sara Emma (Schroeter) Bean

Sara was born February 7, 1915 in Hartford, Ky., the third child born to Emory and Pearle (Thomas) Schroeter. She had three brothers and four sisters. During her high school years she assisted her father with his photography work. Following graduation from Hartford High School, Sara attended a business college in Owensboro, Ky. She married Henry W. Bean in 1938 and moved to Indiana where Henry worked as a chemist for the Standard Oil Co. Sara and Henry had three children: Sandra, Bill and Bette.

As their children were growing up, Sara was active at Christ United Methodist Church in Hammond, Ind. She worked at Fabric Mart, a drapery and bedspread store, for many years. Henry died in 1973 during their 35th year of marriage. In 1980, she moved to Rhinelander, Wis., to be near her daughter, Bette, and was active at the First Congregational Church. She moved to La Crosse in 1984 when Bettes husband took a job there and joined the La Crosse First Congregational Church. She was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood in Chapter AO in Rhinelander and Chapter CR in La Crosse. She was a resident at Bethany-On-Cass in La Crosse for the last three years.

In 1971 Sara became interested in genealogy. She and her daughter, Sandra, filled many albums full of valuable family information. In the early 1990s she began recording memories of her past and encouraged her siblings to contribute their memories as well. She had many beautiful family photos since her father and grandfather were professional photographers. Her family helped put all of her writings and information into one book, The Thomas Schroeter Family, which was completed in March, 2012.

In addition to genealogy, Sara enjoyed traveling around the world with her son, Bill, as well as with other family members and friends. She loved to read, knit, bake cookies and play cards.

Saras life was a life of service to others. Even in her late 80s she served on the church Visitation Committee and worked as a Narthex volunteer. Her sweet southern accent and great sense of humor charmed us all. Sara had many friends of all ages. She was a wonderful person, with a kind heart and generous spirit. She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband Henry; two brothers, Thomas and Pete Schroeter; two sisters, Lucile Owen and Virginia Hundley; and seven brothers-in-law.

Sara is survived by her children: Sandra (Ken) Scheffel, Bill (Winnie) Bean, and Bette (Gary) Stiers; by her grandchildren: Steve (Kim) Scheffel, Scott (Linda) Scheffel, Randy (Michelle) Scheffel, Eric Stiers, and Kristen (Will Gunderson) Stiers; seven great grandchildren; two step great grandchildren; two step great, great grandchildren; her sisters, Katy McFarland and Beth Upton; her brother, David (Beth Englehart) Schroeter; a sister-in-law, Mattie Lou Crowe; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Saras life will be held on Saturday, September 15th, at 3:00 PM at First Congregational Church in La Crosse. The Rev. Bill Hoglund will officiate. Friends may call at the Schumacher Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Avenue South, La Crosse, on Friday from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., and from 2:00 PM until the time of service at the church on Saturday. A meal will be served after the service.

Cremation will follow, per Saras wishes.

Memorials for Sara may be sent to the First Congregational Church, 2503 Main Street, La Crosse, Wis., 54601 and to the Wisconsin P.E.O. H.E.L.P. Fund c/o Mauretta Mattison, Treasurer, 1158 Sherman Ave., Madison, Wis. 53703.Saras family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staffs at Bethany On Cass and Hillview Health Care Center and to her medical team at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center for their wonderful care.