Gail Lynn Schroeder-Hartman

Gail Lynn Schroeder-Hartman, 78, of La Porte, IN, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, August 31, 2026.

Gail was born on April 1, 1948, in La Porte, IN, to Lloyd W. and Evelyn J. (McVay) Upp.

On April 5, 2006, in Las Vegas, NV, she married Frank P. Hartman who survives. Also surviving are her children, Jason Schroeder (Marianne) of Boulder, CO, Jeremie (Pam) Schroeder of Encampment, WY, and Jessica (Aaron) Zuck of Gillette, WY, whom she raised with Michael Schroeder; 4 grandchildren, Reid and Cora Schroeder and Lily and Reece Zuck; 2 sisters, Linda Stark and Peggy (Steve) Thomas. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Blessed with a natural gift for teaching, Gail spent her life nurturing minds and supporting young hearts, particularly during her 30+ years as a teacher at Olive Township Elementary School. Whether she was guiding students, offering gentle words of encouragement, sparking curiosity, or teaching children that they were valued, she loved and cared for every child she had the privilege of teaching.

Her classrooms were a place of patience, learning, and discovery. She was a woman who believed in handwritten notes, a good book, and following the golden rule. She loved deeply, cared fiercely, and lifted everyone around her with her inner and outer beauty and warm compassion.

After retiring from teaching, Gail turned her attention once again guiding young students while volunteering as a Museum Docent at both the South Bend Museum of Art and the Snite Museum of Art at Notre Dame.

Gail was a lifelong learner with a spirit for adventure. She was inspired by flight and was licensed as a commercial pilot and helped many others follow their aviation dreams as a private pilot ground school instructor. She enjoyed visiting National Parks, embarking on many overseas adventures and quiet getaways throughout our country. Gail especially loved her travels through Italy, Switzerland, and the Hawaiian Islands.

Gail was a faithful Catholic and an active member of the Holy Family Catholic Church. She was a greeter, helped prepare desserts for Sacred Heart funeral luncheons, devoted to the prayer chain and for many years sponsored individuals in the Unbound program.

A pillar of her community and an inspiration and role model to her family and friends, Gail left the world a better place for her having been here.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Rolling Prairie Cemetery.

A time of visitation will be held from 4 - 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center.

Memorial donations may be made to the New Prairie Education Foundation at (www.npedfoundation.com/donate).

Condolences may be shared with the family on www.cutlercares.com.