Heather M. Thomas Schroeder Obituary's Obituary
Heather Machelle Thomas Schroeder, age 33, began to organize and shake up heaven on Monday, September 12, 2011 after passing away at Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa. Heather began her life's journey in Corydon, Iowa on August 28, 1978. She loved playing with her pets and getting dirty on the farm until her family later moved to the Des Moines area during her childhood. Her life always seemed to included many trips to hospitals, where as a small child she climbed out of bed as soon she could and headed to the hospital playroom. She always refused to tolerate anyone feeling sorry for her or to think of her as different in any way because of her health challenges. Heather loved going to concerts of many genres. Her favorite Christmas gift from her husband, Jay was tickets to see Lady Gaga in Chicago. After receiving the gift of life twice with two kidney transplants, she passionately promoted awareness of organ and tissue donation. One of her proudest moments was winning a gold medal in ballroom dancing at the National Transplant Games. All participants of the games were either recipients or family donors of organ transplants. Heather graduated from Bondurant High School and then became a Registered Nurse at Mercy College of Health Sciences, where she was the commencement speaker. She practiced renal, hospice and incarceration nursing. In August 2002, she met the love of her life on a blind date and called both her mom and dad that night saying she had met her husband. Jay and Heather traveled to many parts of the country making memories. Heather loved attending NASCAR races with her father. Those missing her deeply are her newborn son, William; husband, Jay Schroeder; brother, Ben Gillette; mother, Sandy (Art) Decker; father, Terry Thomas and his fianc Kathleen Bubon; grandfather Courtney (Judy) Siglin; parents in law, Barb and Lowell Schroeder; brother in law, Dana Schroeder and his fianc, Sue Britt, and countless others whose lives were touched by Heather's smile and 'Bring It' attitude. Hosting the Welcome Home party in heaven are Heather's dog, Jackson; cousins, Cindy Thomas and Sarah Thomas; Uncle Don Thomas; Grandma Sig (Marge Siglin); Grandma Carol and Papa Doyle Thomas. Memorial donations may be directed to My Angel Foundation, which promotes organ and tissue donor awareness. Book Travel to Services To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Heather M. Thomas Schroeder Obituary please visit our Sympathy Store.
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