1921
William
2016
William Schroeder
April 9, 1921 — April 17, 2016
William "Bill" Schroeder, 95, of Evansville, MN, died on Sunday, April 17, 2016, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls.
William A. Schroeder was born April 9, 1921 to John and Johanna (Svenosen) Schroeder, in Lund Township, rural Evansville, MN. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Evansville and attended School District 104 in Lund Township.
In July 1942, he was drafted into the Army. He served with the 699th Engineering Corps in India and Burma working construction and maintenance on the India-Burma pipe line. He was honorably discharged December 23, 1945 and received the American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal, Three Overseas Service Bars, Good Conduct Medal and Meritorious Unit Award. After the service he worked on a farm in North Dakota. From 1948-49 Bill attended Wahpeton School of Science where he studied automotive technology. From 1950-52 he worked at the Ashby Equity and for Jim Sandberg. In 1952 he opened the Standard Oil Station with his brother, James, in Evansville.
On June 20, 1952, he married Elvina Mae Balgaard at Our Savior's Lutheran Parsonage. In 1957 he became the manager of the Evansville school bus garage where he worked until retiring. He then worked at the Hansel Lake Rest Area on I-94 for four years. Bill and his family cherished the time spent at their 40 acre hobby farm in Evansville.
He was a member of the Evansville American Legion Post 188, VFW, D.A.V., Future Farmers of America, MN Transportation Association and served on the Evansville volunteer Fire Department for 23 years. He served on the board of the Evangelical Church of Evansville for four years and was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church and also served on the board. He was a member of the Senior Citizens Club and received the Outstanding Services to Evansville School District award. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking and his grandchildren. Bill also was a very talented whist player and often came home with a win.
He is survived by sons, Donald (Crystal) of Alexandria and Marlin (Catherine) of Winstead, MN; a daughter, Cynthia (Charles) Drake of Lake Charles, Louisiana; seven grandchildren, Holly, Adam, Evan, Craig, Kimberly, Katelin and Amber; 11 great-grandchildren, Gracey, Jasmine, Khelden, Griffin, Jackson, Brayden, Annabelle, Gavin, Emily, Kaylee and Faith; brothers, Franklin 'Ted" (Helen) of Santa Barbara, California and Paul (Hope) of Chippewa Falls, WI.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Elvina, April 2, 2011; son Leslie W. Schroeder, March 29, 1997; sister, Maria and brothers, John, Henry, Edward , James, Robert, Herman and Rudolph.
Funeral Services: 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 22, 2016 at Faith Lutheran Church, Evansville.
Visitation: one hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Rev. Dennis Preston
Military Rites: West Douglas County American Legion Post 188, Evansville, MN
Cemetery: Mound Grove Cemetery, Evansville
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Evansville
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
Bill's Memorial Folder
Bill Schroeder Tribute Video
William A. Schroeder was born April 9, 1921 to John and Johanna (Svenosen) Schroeder, in Lund Township, rural Evansville, MN. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Evansville and attended School District 104 in Lund Township.
In July 1942, he was drafted into the Army. He served with the 699th Engineering Corps in India and Burma working construction and maintenance on the India-Burma pipe line. He was honorably discharged December 23, 1945 and received the American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal, Three Overseas Service Bars, Good Conduct Medal and Meritorious Unit Award. After the service he worked on a farm in North Dakota. From 1948-49 Bill attended Wahpeton School of Science where he studied automotive technology. From 1950-52 he worked at the Ashby Equity and for Jim Sandberg. In 1952 he opened the Standard Oil Station with his brother, James, in Evansville.
On June 20, 1952, he married Elvina Mae Balgaard at Our Savior's Lutheran Parsonage. In 1957 he became the manager of the Evansville school bus garage where he worked until retiring. He then worked at the Hansel Lake Rest Area on I-94 for four years. Bill and his family cherished the time spent at their 40 acre hobby farm in Evansville.
He was a member of the Evansville American Legion Post 188, VFW, D.A.V., Future Farmers of America, MN Transportation Association and served on the Evansville volunteer Fire Department for 23 years. He served on the board of the Evangelical Church of Evansville for four years and was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church and also served on the board. He was a member of the Senior Citizens Club and received the Outstanding Services to Evansville School District award. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking and his grandchildren. Bill also was a very talented whist player and often came home with a win.
He is survived by sons, Donald (Crystal) of Alexandria and Marlin (Catherine) of Winstead, MN; a daughter, Cynthia (Charles) Drake of Lake Charles, Louisiana; seven grandchildren, Holly, Adam, Evan, Craig, Kimberly, Katelin and Amber; 11 great-grandchildren, Gracey, Jasmine, Khelden, Griffin, Jackson, Brayden, Annabelle, Gavin, Emily, Kaylee and Faith; brothers, Franklin 'Ted" (Helen) of Santa Barbara, California and Paul (Hope) of Chippewa Falls, WI.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Elvina, April 2, 2011; son Leslie W. Schroeder, March 29, 1997; sister, Maria and brothers, John, Henry, Edward , James, Robert, Herman and Rudolph.
Funeral Services: 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 22, 2016 at Faith Lutheran Church, Evansville.
Visitation: one hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Rev. Dennis Preston
Military Rites: West Douglas County American Legion Post 188, Evansville, MN
Cemetery: Mound Grove Cemetery, Evansville
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Evansville
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
Bill's Memorial Folder
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