Donald A. Schroeder

Donald A. Schroeder, aged 89, of Apple Valley, passed away on January 1, 2025.

A Christian Funeral will be held in Don’s honor at 11AM with a Time of Gathering from 10AM-10:45AM on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, all at St. James Lutheran Church, 3650 Williams Drive, Burnsville. The Reverend Nancy Connor and Reverend Jenny McLellan will be presiding. Don will be laid to rest at Pleasantview Memorial Gardens.

On June 11,1935, Don was born in Cedar Lake Township to parents Arthur and Lydia (Stern) Schroeder. As a young boy his family moved from Cedar Lake Township and purchased land in Savage to start the family farm, (now known as Schroeder’s Acres) where he learned the valuable life skill of hard work. Don helped out with everything from tending to the livestock and the crops they grew. In his free time, Don enjoyed playing baseball, roller skating, fishing, and downhill skiing with his friends.

Don was very active with the local 4H and Boy Scout groups, and he was awarded a scholarship for the University of Minnesota Agriculture School through 4H. After completing Ag School, Don’s construction career began and he worked as a Travel Foreman and Superintendent for many companies including Cargill, Fegels Power Service, Kraus Anderson, Knutson, and Adolphson & Peterson.

Don was blessed with 6 wonderful children. He loved spending time with his family up north where they enjoyed snowmobiling, boating, and building the family cabin. Don was also active in bowling, softball, and golf leagues. He also was a volunteer Firefighter.

One of Don’s greatest joys was being a father, grandfather and great grandfather. He treasured spending time with the grandkids. Don also showed his love by helping his family with any and all projects, ranging from simple planter boxes to building houses, and everything in between. Don’s faith was always important to him as well and he worked to instill those values in his children.

Don was a hardworking, loving, strong man whose memory is left to be cherished by his children, Dennis Schroeder, Diane (Dave) Stark, Luanne (Robert) Buck, Lynette (Al) Lance, Lisa (Tim) Velishek, Amy (Rich) Booth; grandchildren, Jonathan, Timothy, Cortney, AJ, Samantha, Christian, Lydia, Annie, Kate, Emily; great-grandchildren, Isaac, Nathan, Mira, Raya, Rhett, Rudy, and Charlotte; sister, Ardis Aagard; special friend, Rose Pirkl; and many other loving relatives and friends.

Greeting Don in Heaven are his parents, Arthur and Lydia; siblings, LaVerne, Dayle, Kenneth, Keith, and Jeanette; daughter-in-law Stephanie.