John Dale Schroeder
November 4, 1932 ~ October 9, 2023
J. Dale Schroeder, 90, Mitchell, SD, passed away, Monday, October 9, 2023, at his home and surrounded by his family.
Visitation will begin at 5pm, Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Bittner Funeral Home, Mitchell, with a time of sharing at 6:30 and Rosary Service at 7pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30am, Friday, October 13, 2023, at St Mary’s of Mercy Catholic Church, in Alexandria, SD. Burial will follow with Military Honors.
John Dale Schroeder was born on November 4, 1932, in Alexandria, SD. to Chris and Margaret (Paweltzki) Schroeder. Dale enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating from high school. He served on the aircraft carrier USS CORAL SEA from 1953-1955, during the Korean War. On July 7, 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Smith. To this union, three children were born: Mark, Lisa, and Stacey.
After returning home from the Military, Dale took over his father’s dairy herd and continued the family tradition of dairy farming. In 1965, he was named South Dakota’s Outstanding Young Farmer. In later years, he also took over his father’s Patz business; selling silo unloaders and dairy equipment. He also sold hoop barns for several different companies over the years. He sold his last hoop-barn at the age of 86.
Dale was an avid bowler and claimed several state titles while bowling on the local Elks bowling team. He was proud to lay claim to the fact that he hung around the Mitchell Bowling Ally for at least 70 years. Dale also had a love for children and could always find a way to get their attention and meet them on their level.
On May 14, 2014, Dale married Jeanette Cain Baas and inherited two more children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. After 81 years of “farm-life”, he found “city-life” much to his liking; making his home in Mitchell, after his marriage.
Dale is survived by his wife, Jeanette Schroeder, Mitchell; his son, Mark (Dotty) Schroeder, Alexandria; two daughters, Lisa (Robert) Harrington, Sioux Falls, and Stacey (Stan) Graber, Sioux Falls; an additional daughter, Kallan Paulson, Mt. Vernon; thirteen grandchildren, Naomi (Chris) Long, Sarah (Cory) Powell, Jessica (Eric) Nebelsick, Luke (Amanda) Schroeder, Tara (Cory) Steffen, Nole (Sarah) Harrington, Christian Graber, Trinity (Logan) Harmelink, Yeshari Graber, Tyson (Erin) Paulson, Nicholas (Miranda) Paulson, Delayna (Charlie) Stellphlug, and Sean Baas; thirteen great-grandchildren, Addison Long, Avreigh Long, Tucker Long, Zach Powell, Elliot Powell, Troy Nebelsick, Myles Nebelsick, Chet Nebelsick, Raegan Schroeder, Porter Steffen, Wells Steffen, Graham Paulson, and Brooks Paulson; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins.
Dale was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Smith Schroeder; his parents, Chris and Margaret (Paweltzki) Schroeder; one daughter-in-law, Denise Schroeder; one son-in-law, Lynn Paulson; and one stepson, Kyle Baas.
So sorry for your loss Dale was a great neighbor for many years he will be missed you have my sympathy and prayers
Jeanette, My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.
May the Lord be with you all.
I can see Dale and Pat walking around the 4-H Dairy Barn in Heaven!!! So sorry my friends for the loss of your father.
So very sorry for your loss. I remember the fun we had when you visited us here in Oregon. Our thoughts are with you.
Jeanette, Mark, Lisa and Stacey — It always comes a shock when someone you have known for your entire life passes. My heartfelt sympathy to all of you and your families. One of my best memories of Dale was when he would hire me to help haul bales in the summers when I was in high school (1961-65). Mark was pretty young but, if my memory is correct, he would slowly drive the tractor while Dale and I would load the bales on the hay rack. We always stopped for lunch and Pat would have it ready for us, which we ate in the “booth” in the kitchen…great memory! The other great memory is the Fourth of July picnics with Dale and Pat, my mom and Dad (Rose and Bob), Roy and Dot Klinger, Don & (Marlys?) Schroeder, and others I can’t remember. The centerpiece of the day was the croquet games, which got quite competitive after a few beers!
Jeanette and Dale really helped our family (Sylvia, Tony and me) out when our mother, Rose, moved from Countryside Living to Avera Brady in October 2021. They assisted us in finding “good homes” for a lot of mom’s furniture and household items. This helped mom through a very stressful time. We will be forever grateful to Dale and you, Jeanette.