of Chelsea, Michigan, age 91, died Sunday, November 26, 2023. Gwen was born August 12, 1932, in Augusta Township, Michigan, the daughter of Harvey and Gertrude (Storck) Minick. On June 30, 1956, she married Donald Schrader in Toledo, Ohio. She is survived by her husband of 67 years and their four children, Douglas (Vicki) Schrader of Jackson, MI, Lori (Mike) Love of Meldrim, GA, Lisa (Steve) Jaqua of Ann Arbor, MI, and Daniel (Sharon) Schrader of Savannah, GA; three grandchildren, Andrew (Kate) Swantek, Michael (Andrea) Swantek and Benjamin Swantek, great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and one brother, Timothy. She was preceded in death by her brothers, David and Gary, and her daughter-in law, Vicki.
Gwen attended Lincoln High School and then joined the Air Force where she completed communications school. She became certified in Morse Code, the only woman in her graduating class. She had many friends and varied interests. She was president of the Chelsea Historical Society. She was a teaching assistant at Cassidy Lake Technical School where she picked up some new vocabulary. She enjoyed antiquing and filled the family home with many treasures. She loved dogs and was fiercely passionate about animal protection. Both she and Don played bridge for many years with Daphne & Bob Hodder, Bob & Mary Powers, Hal & Peg Pennington, Jack & Maryann Merkel, and Alice & Bob Thornton. She lived in Savannah, GA for 15 years and was active in the Wilmington Island Garden Club. They moved to Pinehurst, NC where she and Don built their retirement home and lived for 10 years before returning to Chelsea. She treasured travelling around the United States and their many trips to Argentina with Duane & Winona Landwehr and Mel & Barb Leach.
Funeral services were held Saturday, December 2, 2023, 11:00 am at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, with Deacon Tom Franklin officiating. A Private burial took place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Chelsea. The family received friends from 10am until the time of service. Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post 31 or Faith in Action.
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Dave and Velinda