John C. Schrader

John Clifford Schrader, 95, of Prescott, was received into heaven Nov. 27, 2022, with family by his side. Graveside services for family and friends will be 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 2, in Carl Cemetery in Adams County. All are invited to a luncheon at Prescott Disciples of Christ Church in Prescott, following the graveside service.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department or 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 Aug. 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 Perry Grove Carl #2, a one-room country school. He attended Bridgewater High School graduating as valedictorian in 1944.

After school, he joined the 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 23 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 about 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; two 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.