Erwell Charles “Chuck” Schroder
June 30, 1938 ~ February 13, 2022

Erwell Charles “Chuck” Schroder, 83, Brandon, died Sunday, February 13, 2022, at the Avera McKennan Hospital after recent health issues.
Visitation with the family will be 11 am, Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Heritage Lutheran Church, Brandon. A Celebration of Life will begin at 1pm followed by Full Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Chuck’s memory.
Chuck Schroder was born on June 30, 1938, to Erwell and Violet (Mares) Schroder, in Pontiac, Michigan, and raised in Elgin, Illinois, where he graduated high school. He then attended North Dakota State University to play football. He entered the Army on April 23, 1959, and served in the Korean Conflict. Upon his discharge, he married the love of his life, Lois Hansen on July 6, 1963, in Pipestone. They moved to Denver, CO, for his job at Beneficial Finance, and eventually moved back to Renner, SD, when he took a job with the SBA, working in the Agri-Business Banking sector. In 1970, the family moved to Brandon, where they raised their two children, Tina and Jeff. Upon his retirement, Chuck worked for Sunshine Foods.
Chuck was involved in many things, but his first love was his wife, Lois. They loved to travel and went on many trips and vacations. Camping was their main love and they did this as much as possible. Chuck and Lois also loved going out for dinner together and often times would celebrate holidays and anniversaries at their favorite restaurants.
Chuck’s second love was his family, especially his grandkids. He loved his granddaughters very much and bragged about them all of the time. He referred to them as “my two girls.” He attended all of their softball games and tournaments, hockey matches, and, graduations. He loved to attend state basketball tournaments to watch his son, Jeff, referee. Chuck also umpired amateur baseball and high school football. Chuck was also an outdoorsman. He loved to hunt deer and fish. His yearly trip with Sunshine’s annual fishing trip was a highlight for over forty years, that has led to many lifelong friendships and memories. His deer hunting buddies out on the ranch West River, are also another group that he considered his extended family.
Chuck will always be remembered as a servant friend. He was generally found moving snow, raking leaves, and mowing lawns for his neighbors and friends that needed help or were otherwise busy. He spent several years as a youth sponsor for the church youth groups, attending several camps and youth retreats. Chuck was also a lifelong member of the Sioux Falls East Side Kiwanis Club. He and Lois and his family participated in many years of summer and winter Kiwanis conventions and retreats. Chuck was also an active member of the Isaac Walton League.
Chuck was an active member of Brandon Lutheran Church and then later, Heritage Lutheran Church.
Chuck will be deeply missed by his wife, Lois; his daughter, Tina Spielmann, Brandon; his son, Jeff (Larissa) Schroder, Brandon; two granddaughters, Jayde and Gaby, both of Brandon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Erwell and Violet (Mares) Schroder; and one sister, Susan.
Rest in Peace my Friend We had great times. Camping, Hunting & Just hanging out You will truly be Missed
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you.
I always got a laugh being around Chuck and his comments and stories! He always volunteered his time to coach and officiate our activities growing up and as a coach myself, I now know what a time commitment that was, but I know he thoroughly enjoyed it 🙂 Chuck was always very generous. He would always let me stay at his place when I would come back to Brandon to visit Jeff and everyone after I moved away. He would even let me crash in his pickup on occasion after a long night out….My thoughts are with his family right now.
Tina,So sorry about your loss I remember you and your dad coming into Arby’s a lot hold all your memories close to your heart and you have a special guardian angel watching over you Janie Olson
I’ll miss you at the fishing tournament. Prayers are being said for your family.
Jeff, Tina & Family – Absolutely devastated to hear about Chuck. Always had a good time camping, his dutch oven meatloaf, playing Mexican Train dominos, sitting around the fire in our backyard, trips to Cabelas, just a few of our memories; wish we had more to make. The comfort of having a friend may be taken away, but not that of having had one. With love to you all.
Chuck was a chaperone on two mission trips our son, Will, took to Thunder Bay and Idaho. Will enjoyed the conversations and mission trips very much. He still talks about the side trips Chuck took him on to hike and fish. Our sympathy to Chuck’s family at this difficult time. Chuck was an amazing role model to many young people. He left quite a legacy.
Scott, Lanette and Will Thompson
Brandon, SD 57005
Our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time, God Bless
To the family our sympathy to all of you. We had so many fun times with all of you at games. We always enjoyed visiting. He was a great guy. Hugs to all.
Tina, Lois, and family- my sincere sympathies to you all at this time.
So sorry to hear just now of Chuck’s passing. I worked with him at SBA many years ago and recently had the idea to create a Hall of Fame for SBA District International Trade Officers and wanted Chuck to be the first inductee. So I went about trying to locate him. It’s been a long time since we spoke but I still remember and appreciate our chats about sports and his sense of humor. Rest in peace my old friend!