Meredith Folger

Our beautiful daughter Meredith Anne Folger passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at her home on March 27th, 2021 in Savage, Minnesota at the age of 40. Meredith was born on November 27th, 1980 in Rochester, Minnesota to Neath and Doris (Nicloy) Folger. After graduating from Mayo High School in 1999, she went to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 2003 followed by a Master in Education & Professional Development in 2006. Music and performing were a joy to Meredith in her youth. Although she started with Suzuki piano, it was her beautiful voice which led her to pursue singing with the Southeast Minnesota Honors Choir and perform in "Oliver" on stage. She was a skilled figure skater and performed in several Annual Rochester Figure Skating shows. While working on her college degrees, she learned a lot about life and people as a waitress and later as a trainer at the Chi-Chi's restaurant in La Crosse. Drawn to those who experienced challenges in their own young lives, Meredith began her teaching career at the Challenge Academy at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. She applied her creativity, imagination and innovation to teaching math, a subject that was not her strength, but succeeded in making it useful, enjoyable, and practical for her students. It was this spirit that was a feature in virtually every teaching opportunity Meredith seized from that point onward. Her passion to help students improve their reading comprehension was the focus of her Master's degree and subsequent work as a reading interventionalist. In this way, she touched many children and had a major impact on their lives. Just one such effort led to sponsoring a book drive for the reading library to address the summer slide that so many children experience. She also developed jointly with a colleague a music video on reading featured on Minnesota Public Radio (https://youtu.be/HFre2L38dKc). Still, her greatest joy remained in the classroom teaching students who struggled with reading and literacy. Meredith was keen with financial responsibility, and known for her ability to find incredible deals, often generously gifted to the many who were fortunate enough to have known her. She was devoted to health and physical fitness and was an avid runner. With her son Parker, she participated in archery, trampoline and other outdoor sports but deferred to her fiancé, Lance, and her father (known affectionately by Parker as "Pop Pop") for help with Parker's love of Legos. Meredith is survived by her former husband Ty Patrick Schloemer, and their son, Parker Buffet Schloemer, Trempealeau, WI; father Neath Folger, Rochester, MN; brothers Ryan (Alexis) Folger, Milwaukee, WI and Justin (Mindy) Folger, Lake Elmo, MN. She is preceded in death by her mother Doris Jean (Nicloy) Folger, Rochester, MN. A private graveside service was held this week. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Folger family; to leave a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com