Gene Roman Schreyer

Gene was God’s gift to Roman and Irma (nee Fritsche) Schreyer, born on January 6, 1938, in New Ulm, MN. He became God’s child by faith through baptism on the same day. The family moved to Mankato in 1948, beginning Gene’s lifelong connection with Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church and Schools. He attended Immanuel elementary school, and in 1952 confirmed his faith in Jesus and intent to faithfully serve Immanuel (God with us) in his life.

Gene attended Bethany Lutheran High School (graduated 1956) and Junior College (graduated 1958) in Mankato, where he made many lifelong friends. During these years, Pastor Fischer encouraged Gene to think about public ministry as a life path, and he began teaching Sunday School and singing in the church choir.

He attended the newly established Immanuel Lutheran College and Seminary in Mankato, graduating in 1961 with a teaching degree and in 1963 with a preaching degree. Simultaneously he attended Mankato State College, graduating in 1969 with a B.S. in Social Studies teaching.

In 1963, when Immanuel High School, College, and Seminary moved to Eau Claire, WI, Immanuel congregation continued to support a high school in Mankato. Gene was called as one of two original teachers to the high school. Over the years, he taught a variety of subjects, including history, geography, civics, German, English, religion, art, and music appreciation, in addition to serving as principal and counselor; but if you asked Gene what he taught, he would say “Students”.

The Lord gifted Gene with a gregarious and jolly personality, and with many interests and opportunities. As a teacher, he used multiple approaches to reach individual students. He was initiator or catalyst for many Immanuel School programs and traditions, such as Banquet and incentive study hall. He worked with other educators in the community to begin programs such as the district film library.

Gene married Grace Meyer on June 21, 1987, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. He always considered his wife and their 3 children to be very special blessings from the Lord, given relatively late in his life. He shared with them his love of extended family, travel, flower gardening, history, art, music and song, “dad jokes,” creative stories, and especially God’s Creation and His Word.

Gene retired from full-time teaching in 2000, though he stayed connected to Immanuel. He taught German for 3 more years, and later served as the secretary on the board of Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery. In the community, he worked as a crossing guard, an election judge, and a paperboy, after supervising student teachers for MSU for several semesters. He made the most of every opportunity the Lord presented.

In the last years of his life on earth, as Gene struggled with health issues, his Immanuel family has shown their faithful love. On Friday, March 31, 2023, Immanuel (God with us) kept His faithful promises and took Gene’s soul to live with Him forever. Gene’s days on earth were 85 years, 2 months, and 25 days. His time in heaven is without end. “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” Ps. 116:15

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Preceding Gene in death are his parents Roman and Irma Schreyer; brother Lowell Schreyer; stepmother Myrtle Schreyer; father-in-law Milton Meyer; sister-in-law Bernice Abbott; and aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Surviving and awaiting reunion in the Resurrection are his wife Grace; children Juliana Schreyer (Crystal Lake, IL), Brent Schreyer (Mankato, MN), Christiana (Samuel) Wojcik (Dakota, MN); mother-in-law Ruth Meyer (Red Wing, MN); sisters-in-law Margaret Schreyer (Mankato, MN), Marie Meyer (Zumbrota, MN), Lois (Carlston) McKenzie (Brooklyn Park, MN), Dorothy (James) Abbott (Skykomish, WA); brothers-in-law John (Wendy) Abbott (Phoenix, AZ), John (Linda) Meyer (Stewartville, MN), Paul (Cheryl) Meyer (Eau Claire, WI); nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews; and cousins.

Gene’s family is grateful for the support of the volunteers who have kept Gene company; the hospice nurses and aides who kept Gene comfortably cared for; and especially the pastors and many friends who have kept Gene lifted in prayer. Memorial donations are preferred to Immanuel Lutheran Church and Schools (Mankato), or to the donor’s choice.

Mankato Mortuary (www.mankatomortuary.com) is handling funeral arrangements. Funeral service is Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 421 N Second Street, Mankato. Visitation is Monday, April 10, 2023, from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Mankato Mortuary, 1001 N Riverfront Drive, Mankato, and also one hour before the service at the church. Interment is at Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery, rural Mankato.