RIP Marilyn Lemmenes Schräder
January 9, 1946 - August 6, 2026
St. Luke’s Bayview organist and long-time All Saints’ member Marilyn Schräder passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at Ascension Columbia Saint Mary’s Hospital. A funeral service will be held for her at the Cathedral on Friday, August 14; visitation begins at 9:30 am and the service is at 11 am. Luncheon to follow.
Marilyn was born January 9, 1946 to Albertus and Elizabeth Hughes Lemmenes, Waupun. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Waupun Senior High in 1964.
She graduated from UWM-Milwaukee in 1968 and started teaching music in the inner city of Milwaukee at Ninth Street School. When Ninth Street closed she taught at Maryland School and Green Bay Avenue School, retiring in 2001. She loved her job and the kids loved her. They were her children.
In 1979 she married Father Jerry Schrader at St. Mark's Episcopal Church.
Marilyn began her church organist career during high school at The First Reformed Church, Waupun. She also played for The Christian Science Church, Kingo Lutheran Church and Congregation Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurum. Marilyn was recently honored for 44 years of service as music director at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
As a member of the American Guild of Organists-Milwaukee Chapter, Marilyn served as their dean for a few years. She attended many national conventions: Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Washington DC, Nashville, and Kansas City.
Welsh music was close to her heart. A member of The Welsh Gymanfa Ganu Association of Wisconsin, Inc., she faithfully attended Welsh hymn sings, directed a few and played organ when asked.
Also a member of the North American Festival of Wales, she attended conventions including Vancouver, Minneapolis, Portland, Calgary, Pennsylvania, Oak Park, Milwaukee, Pittsburg and Ottawa.
Marilyn traveled many times to Wales plus to the Netherlands, Europe, Norway, and three visits to the British Virgin Islands on a private catamaran with her sisters.
For years she had season tickets to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Rep, the Milwaukee Opera and the Milwaukee Art Museum.
In retirement she played cards, chicken-foot dominoes, was in a computer club and went to water aerobics.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Albertus and Elizabeth Lemmenes, her husband Jerry Schrader in 1982, and many cats and dogs close to her heart.
She is survived by her siblings: Ann E. Lemmenes, Roy (Lori) Lemmenes and Ruth (Jim) Metz; and nephews and nieces: Eric, Adam, Casey, Owen, Luke, Burton, Abraham, Sarah and Isaac and their children, whom she doted on: Meghan, Jack, Grahm, Ella, Torin, Gwenyth, Kash, William, Samuel, Meredith, Elzy, Simon, Blake, Chael, Mara, Eleanor, Oliver, Benjamin, Marabelle, Lucy, Charlie, Bennett, Elizabeth, Evelyn and Oliver. Her cat Ginger-Lee is lost without her.
Services: Friday, August 14
All Saints Cathedral
818 E Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee
9:30 am Visitation
11:00 am Funeral Service
Luncheon to follow.
Burial at Nashota Seminary Cemetery, Delafield WI.
Memorials may be sent to:
The Welsh Gymanfa Ganu Association of Wisconsin, Inc.
Checks payable to:
WGGAW c/o Dick Myers
7702 N Port Washington Rd, Apt 309, Fox Point WI 53217