Liesel Schroeder, 86, was born on April 20, 1938 in Tiege, Ukraine to the late Katharina (nee De Jager) and the late Johann Martens. Liesel passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 3, 2024. She was the loving wife of the late Albert "Al"; mother of Rudy (Sheryl), Fred (Robin), and the late Carl; grandmother of Krisann (Andy), Aaron (Jen), and Ashley (Jason); great-grandmother of Haylee and Jack Vistica and of Brody and Rex Schroeder; and aunt to many special nieces and nephews in the United States, Canada, and Germany. She is preceded in death by her siblings: Johann, Tina, Miche, and Leni.

Liesel had a great love of people. She enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her family, or catching up with an old friend over the phone. Liesel and Al traveled extensively, and made friends from all over the world on their adventures. Some of their favorite vacations were annual trips to Hawaii, cruises throughout the globe, and frequent visits to northern California to visit their eldest son and his family. Liesel loved to entertain, and the Schroeder home was always open to friends and family, whether for a week or just for dinner. She also enjoyed cooking for her loved ones, and her mashed potatoes, cabbage rolls, beef rouladen, and potato salad were legendary.

Liesel loved crocheting, and was always in the middle of a crochet project. Over the years, she crocheted hundreds of scarves and hats to donate to people in need, as well as to soldiers to keep warm under their helmets. The crocheted blankets and Christmas stockings she made for her family remain treasured heirlooms. You could often find her crocheting at home, listening to her favorite music: Hawaiian, polka, and Elvis Presley.

Liesel's family would like to say a special thank you to all of her caregivers at Friendship/Encore Village in Schaumburg, where Liesel lived for the past eight years, and to her care team from Ascension Illinois Hospice.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 10 at 10:00 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church at 855 Lee Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016, until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Ridgewood Cemetery in Des Plaines, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, the longtime church family of both Liesel and Al.

Funeral care is being provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home and Cremation Center. For information, please call 847-699-9003 or visit glhillsfuneralhome.com.