Isobel Schroeder Steury, 94, of Springfield, died April 12, 2011, at Cox South.
Born July 21, 1916, to Lora and Maude Schroeder in Rockford, Ill., Isobel led a life of strength, courage and conviction. As a young woman, she aspired to a career in medicine. Fulfillment of her dream was delayed first by the Great Depression, then by choice as she raised two daughters, Patricia Steury Ramos and Joyce Steury Peterson, who were the center of her world.
At 49, Isobel achieved her goal and graduated with top honors from Burge School of Nursing. At 50, she earned certification as a licensed practical nurse and began a 23-year career in nursing at Cox North. Along her way and into retirement, she inspired her children, grandchildren and others to never give up and never stop learning. In education, she believed, lay the key to individual freedom. She consistently skunked her family at Trivial Pursuit, never missed the news, would read any book or magazine she could lay her hands on, and argued political policy with the proficiency of a veteran lawmaker until the day she died.
Isobel (or “MeMe,” as her family called her) was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Earl Schroeder; a sister, Thelma Kynion; and her ex-husband, Robert W. Steury.
She is survived by a sister, Geraldine Nilles of Buena Vista, Colo.; two daughters, Patricia J. Steury Ramos and husband Ron, of Garland, Texas, and Joyce S. Steury Peterson and husband Glen of Crocker; three grandchildren, Andrea Schedel of Garland, Texas, Jan Peterson of Springfield, and Eric Peterson and wife Amy of Little Rock, Ark.; and many loving friends.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, April 15, 2011, in Greenlawn North. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 16, also in the funeral home, with interment to follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
Isobel found joy in giving and was a consistent supporter of the American Cancer Society, Disabled American Veterans and Planned Parenthood, along with a host of other charitable causes. In lieu of flowers, her family would appreciate donations to any of these or to the charitable organization of the donor’s choice.