SCHROEDER, Lanae “Lanea” Katherine (nee Paetkau)
October 2, 1994 – April 13, 2022
It is with great sadness we mourn the passing of Lanea Schroeder to be with her Saviour Jesus Christ on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 as a result of a mountaineering accident on Mont des Poilus, a peak in the Rocky Mountain range, at the age of 27.
Lanea was born in Bow Island, Alberta and spent most of her growing up years living in Sumy, Ukraine as a missionary kid. Living overseas gave her a different view on life and built into her a willingness to stretch herself and to learn and grow. She spent a year at Bodenseehof Bible School in Germany in 2013-2014, and then returned to Canada, served at Brightwood Ranch Camp for the summer and attended a year at Millar College of the Bible in Salmon Arm BC (2014-2015).
During that year at school she met her husband to be, Logan Schroeder. While he continued at school she lived and worked in the area, serving as a volunteer fire fighter in the Blind Bay detachment, serving as a volunteer at her local church, and taking on new challenges and activities.
Lanea and Logan were married on November 5, 2016, beginning a journey together of wonder, challenge, growth and adventure. God gave them the opportunity to spend 6 months overseas in 2018, doing ministry in 6 different countries, growing the desire to someday be overseas long term.
These past few years, Lanea and Logan have been living in Cochrane, AB, working, serving in the local church, camp ministries and in various capacities with volunteer organizations. They love the outdoors, and sought any opportunity they could to spend time in God’s backyard (the Rocky Mountains) hiking, climbing, and skiing with friends and acquaintances. Lanea loved the outdoors, and found it a natural place to share the love of Christ and to build into other’s lives. She has been training and growing her skills in multiple areas so that she could use them for the sake of the Gospel. She loved to draw and paint that which she saw and to share that with others.
There are three things that would describe Lanea:
She was adventurous. She relished a new opportunity, a new challenge, and the possibility of growing. She strove to do her best at whatever she put her mind to. She was not one to shy away from taking a risk, but she was a calculated risk taker. Back country skiing had become a favourite winter sport for the two of them, both for the challenge and the opportunity. Summers were spent hiking and climbing deep in the mountains. Many times when they came home they would show pictures – and inevitably there was snow because they had been up that high. She and Logan were “adventure buddies”, each bringing their skills and abilities together in order to create memories and do ministry.
She loved Jesus. Her Lord and Saviour was at the forefront in all of her relationships and conversations. She is one who is confident in her faith, and ready and willing to share when God opens a door. She loved spending time with jr higher’s and teens, helping them to grow as individuals and to learn more about God and grow closer to Him. Her heart was soft towards the broken and abused, and she loved serving those who were impacted by this trauma. She volunteered at a local women’s ministry in Calgary, helping women learn how to be physically healthy, taking them on hiking trips into the mountains to share the love of Christ and helping them to be spiritually healthy. Growing up in Ukraine gave her a heart to serve, as God gave her opportunities to grow and learn and to be involved in so many different ways.
She was restless for Heaven. Lanea loved being in nature, as it was the closest she could get to heaven here on earth. We live in a world filled with pain and evil, and this wore at her heart. She had written many times in her journals, asking God “how long until You take us home”. As a missionary kid, you don’t fit exactly into any culture – not the culture of your passport nor the culture that you live and serve in. So home is always a bit of a question, and as she grew in her faith she realized that until Heaven, she would never really be home. She wanted God to use her time here on earth for Him, but she was ready to go whenever He gave the word.
Lanea wasn’t perfect. She struggled in many areas and had many difficult times over her years. It was her faith in God that kept her moving forward through those times, to work at rebuilding that which had been broken and to look forward to what God might do. From a human perspective, she died much too young and there was so much before her. From an eternal perspective, her life was in God’s hands and He was faithful to give her the strength and the time to do what she had been called to do. God doesn’t measure effectiveness in years, and thus we can rest knowing that His timing is perfect and His will is good. We rest knowing that she is in the hands of her loving Saviour, and that she is home.
“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow….but God is good and He provides.”
“Exodus 15: The Lord is my strength and my song. So I will not be afraid”
Lanea’s journal entry April 8, 2022
Lanea is survived by her husband, Logan Schroeder; parents, John and Leanne Paetkau; siblings, Alicia (Garrett) Jones, Daniel Paetkau; parents-in-law, Ray and Angela Schroeder; a grandparent (Erna Heinrichs), numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews; and extended family and friends.
A Public Visitation will take place at Cochrane Alliance Church (902 Glenbow Dr, Cochrane, AB T4C 1J2) on Wednesday, April 27 at 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. MST.
A Funeral Service will be held for Lanea at Cochrane Alliance Church (902 Glenbow Dr, Cochrane, AB T4C 1J2) on Wednesday, April 27 at 11:30 a.m. MST.
For those unable to attend in person, the family invites you to join the livestream during the service or at a later date using the following link https://tv.cochranealliance.com/en/c/celebration-of-life-for-lanea-schroeder.4496
If desired, Memorial Donations may be made to: Crowsnest Bible Camp https://www.crowcamp.ca
Arrangements entrusted to Bridget Halfyard, Funeral Director
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – cochrane@piersons.ca – 403-932-1039
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To Logan and the Paetkau Family
No words can even start to convey the heart felt sympathy and condolences we send to you. This just doesn’t seem right or fair. I am however reminded of Isaiah 55:8-9. I am comforted that at that exact second that cornice broke our dear Lanea heard God’s loving voice clearly say “come home my great and faithful servant.” I do not cry for her but rather you who are left behind.
Gary and Gwen Lundman
much love from our family. We remember Lanae as a young child. We are praying for comfort as the hole in the family is real.
Ben and Marlene Reed
We met Logan and Lanea once a few years ago when they came to visit our neighbour and friend Kathryn Eagles. Though I truly don’t know Lanea, the grief over her passing has hit me hard, especially as I consider her husband Logan and his depth of sorrow. Thank you, dear Paetkau family, as the ones in the deepest of grief, for shedding impossible LIGHT in the midst of such a dark, dark situation. It speaks loudly of the Hope that is within you. Even Lanea’s obituary inspires me, giving me renewed desire to run this race well. Thank you, dear ones. Know that we care, and know that we’re praying.
“…lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.” Ps. 61:2
I attended Bodenseehof with Lanea and while I sadly didn’t know her very closely, what I did get to experience was the joy and positivity she carried with her in each day. She was such a shining light of hope and her faith in Jesus was so vivid and catching. It was so clear how much she loved God and all of God’s children on Earth. I am sorry I didn’t know her more closely but I feel honoured and blessed to have met her and shared in her incredibly faith and outlook on life. Sending love and prayers to all of her loved ones right now, Kezia xx
I met Lanea in 2015 when I went to Sunnybrae Millar for a week after being a student there for two years. I was in second year when Logan went for his first year (2013-2014). Praying for Logan , and Lanea’s family, and the Schroeder family as well. Over Easter weekend there was lots of singing about heaven, Jesus conquering death, and God’s faithfulness and I couldn’t help but cry and yet praise God as I know that Lanea is with Jesus! Beth Dyksterhuis
Praying for God’s healing and peace during this difficult time. Tim
Dear John & Leanne: Gary and I met you in November 2021 at Peace River Bible College Mission Conference. I was drawn to your warmth and love for Jesus as you shared with the students and with the personal conversations we had with one another. Our hearts are extremely heavy for you in your grieve as you mourn the loss of your daughter. John 14:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Lanea was one of my best friends in junior high. We met in grade 9 English. I remember being taken aback by her command of and passion for the written word, thinking “I need to be friends with this girl.” We were incredibly close the years coming out of high school, and I was even making plans to visit her in Ukraine before the first war. Lanea was someone special, someone whom you met and never forgot. She forever changed those around her with her passion and zest for life. She had such an incredible perspective for someone so young and was a huge source of encouragement through hardship. Lanea, the world is a little less bright and joyous without you. Logan, John, Leanne, Alicia, Daniel — I’m so sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you all. We look forward to seeing Lanea soon.
Dear John and Leanne,
We have been praying for you since learning of your great loss. We remember visiting your whole family in Sumy. What a blessing that was and is. We cannot imagine your pain. “God is near to those who have a broken heart.” Ps 34:18
Dick and Esther Camp
Dear Logan and dear Petkau Family
We send our condolences and pray you will know the comfort of the Lord just now.
We have such warm memories of Lanea‘s time with us at Bodenseehof. Her gentleness and honest deep questions after many Sunday services connected us dearly. Especially Gaby will never forget her.
Now she sees the one she trusted and we are not sad for her but for all who dearly miss her.
Warmly in Christ for the Bodenseehof family Peter and Gaby Reid
Logan, John and Leanne.
God put your beautiful Lanea on my heart when she became a member of our church in Blind Bay. She had such a bright sparkle and a thirst for all things God that was inspiring to me. We shared a mission trip to Mexico with her newly wed husband Logan. It was beautiful to see their love for each other and the love for God that they both shared. I was so blessed to spend many hours with Lanea discussing and marvelling in the amazingness of our Lord Jesus.
I would loved to be able to be with you all in person for the celebration of this beautiful soul.
I will be tuned in to the service online.
Sending you all, my love and prayers, and such big hugs.
Love Shaughn ❤️
John, My deepest condolences to you. May God comfort you in this difficult time and grant you peace of mind.
John and Leanne, we are so sorry to hear of your sorrow. I pray that the God of comfort will feel near in these days and trust that He will sustain you. May the things you know to be true in the Light bring comfort to your hearts in the dark. Love and prayers, The Garretts (Romania)