Matthew J. Schroeder

Born in LeMars, Iowa, on Aug. 19, 1944, he was the son of Dr. C.J. and Margaret (Akin) Schroeder.

Matthew was raised in Rock Valley, Iowa. He attended and graduated from Gehlan High School in LeMars, Iowa in 1962. He continued his education at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., graduating in 1966. He later received his Masters of Fine Arts Degree at the University of Iowa in 1969. Matt was a professor of fine arts at North Country Community College, beginning in 1970. He taught a variety of courses including Introduction to Studio, Art Appreciation, Drawing, Design, Silk Screening, Photography, Logic and Ethics.

Matt employed early distant learning telecommunications for teaching Art at the Malone Campus and eventually taught art courses at the Malone Campus. He also taught evening classes in drawing for college credit at the Ray Brook federal prison.

Matt especially enjoyed taking students on field trips to art museums and unique architectural buildings in Montreal and sites such as the Norman Rockwell Museum in Rutland, Vt. Outside the classroom, Matt successfully coached the NCCC women’s softball team, the Lady Saints, for two years with a 39-5 win record. He also served as president of the Association of Professionals at NCCC for several years. In the early 1990s, Matt enjoyed teaching screen printing to youngsters attending the Summer Sampler program at the NCCC Child Care Center. Matt loved the outdoors, gardening, and boating on the beautiful waters in the Saranac Lake region.

He is survived by two sisters: Mrs. Sharon Donovan of San Diego, Calif., and Ellen Schroeder (Hubert Bell) of Austin, Texas; one brother James Michael Schroeder (Karen) of LeMars, Iowa; and several nieces, including Mary Bailey, Kristin Schroeder and Shannon Fanning.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Natalie Lynn Schroeder, and his father, mother and beloved dogs, Bandit and Andrew.

Matthew’s family will receive friends from 5 to 6:45 p.m. Thursday, March 6 at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A memorial service and time of sharing memories will take place at 6:45 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mark Reilly officiating. A reception will immediately follow at the Belvedere Restaurant in Saranac Lake.

Friends wishing to remember Matthew J. Schroeder may make memorial contributions to the BluSeed Studio in Saranac Lake or the charity of their choice in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.