Walter Frederick Schroeder

Lebanon, SD

1941?, 1793, Lodge, SP-4,

April 6, 1924 - November 3, 2021

Walter Frederick Schroeder was born April 6, 1924 in Lebanon, South Dakota to Henry and Esther (Scheller) Schroeder. He attended school in Athol, South Dakota. He worked on the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the Black Hills at Camp Lodge and in Minnesota on a dairy farm. In between, he worked with his father on the farm.

In February of 1944 he enlisted in the United States Navy. He took his basic training at Farragut, Idaho. Walt served on Attack Transport ships, "Cape Bon", "David Balasco", and the "USS Marine Jumper" as a 40 mm gunner in the Pacific. He was honorably discharged May 31, 1946.

In 1946 he married Helen Larson in Mound City, South Dakota. To this union were born 9 children; Jerry (Mary), Jay (Beth), Joel (Cynthia), Jim (Karen), John (Krista), Judy Finn, Janice (Jim) Edlund, Joanne (Mickey) Mulkey, and Julie Carroll.

Walt worked on the farm with his father until 1950, then went to Lead, South Dakota to work on the Homestake Gold Mine.

On November 5, 1960 his wife, Helen, passed away. He moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota to have his mother’s help with the children.

In 1969, he moved to Houma, Louisiana, where he worked on ships and the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. He acquired a franchise for Snap-On-Tools and started servicing the oil rigs. During this time, he married Mae Marie Authement. Mae passed away in December 1992. At this time, he sold his business and started traveling by camper. He met Carolyn DeWall in May 1993. In the fall of the year, they both became full-time RVers. They worked part-time at Disney World, Hart Ranch Resort in Rapid City, and Campground in St. Augustine, Florida. Walt and Carolyn DeWall were married June 16, 2011 in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Walt was preceded in death by his parents, two wives, one son, three brothers, and two sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; nine children, 22 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, four step-children, four step-grandchildren and five step great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 8, 2021 at First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held one-hour prior to the service. Burial at Black Hills National Cemetery, near Sturgis.

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