Theodore "Ted" Schroeder

Theodore J. Schroeder, age 86, peacefully passed away Thursday
afternoon, June 13, 2013, at his home south of Cavalier, ND, after
fighting a long battle with cancer.
Ted (or Teddy, to some) was born October 7, 1926, on the same
farmstead he lived on for most of his life. He was the youngest of 10
children born to George and Mary (Hartz) Schroeder. Ted grew up
helping his dad farm and raise dairy cattle. He learned to drive at a
very young age and loved to tell the stories of that and other
experiences while growing up. He attended school in Cavalier and
graduated from Cavalier High School in 1945.
He married G.A. Lorraine Bjornson at Detroit Lakes, MN on September
12, 1946. at a civil ceremony where his brother, Alfred, and sister-in-
law, Katherine were attendants.
Ted and Lorraine farmed for two years before he accepted a position
at the Farmers Union Elevator. In 1953, he began working at The
Cavalier Chronicle for Edsel Winlaw, learning how to operate the
Linotype machine from his older brother, Sydney. Throughout his life,
he was part of The Chronicle business wearing the hat of typesetter,
pressman, mechanic, publisher, editor, president, owner, and co-
janitor with Lorraine. Beginning in the 1950s, Ted and the Chronicle
began an association with Morgan Printing of Grafton, ND, which would
last into seven decades.
In the mid-1970s, Ted and six other area newspaper publishers formed
a corporation to print one of the area's first shoppers, "The
Nor'-Wester," which was a common supplement to those newspapers for
the next 35 years.
During the end of the 1950s, Ted and his cousin, Walt Elgert, helped
each other build their houses, which were less than a mile apart from
each other. He, Lorraine, and their four kids moved out to their
present house in the winter of 1960 and lived there for the rest of
their married life.
While living on Boundary Road in Cavalier before his new home was
built, he served as alderman on the City Council.
He was also a member of Cavalier Improvements, Inc.; belonged to the
Empennage Flying Club, the Tally-Ho Squares and County Corners square
dance clubs, Pembina County Historical Society, NEND Heritage
Association, and the North Valley Community Men's Choir.
Ted was a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church in
Cavalier, holding various positions within the church.
He liked mainly gospel and country-western music and was an avid
square dancer, traveling with friends all over the area to various
dances. He also enjoyed working on old tractors and machinery,
restoring several pieces through the last 40 years of his life.
Contrary to his early E.U.B. upbringing, Ted loved playing cards.
Whether hearts, crazy eights, crap on your neighbor or just about any
other game, he was ready. He was never known to pass up an offer to
play a good game of cribbage with any of his family.
Ted was a very generous, gentle, man; ready to help anyone who needed
it. He had a sharp wit and a unique sense of humor. When engaged in
conversation, he would come up with an unexpected zinger that would
have you rolling. He will be sorely missed.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Lorraine of Cavalier;
children: Judie Gill of Glendale, AZ, Jerry (Kathy) Schroeder of
Horace, ND, Tim (Debbie) Schroeder and Lynn (Judy) Schroeder of
Cavalier; 10 grandchildren: Susie Tinnon, Tami Tinnon, Tom (Tori)
Tinnon, Tari Tinnon, Kipp Schroeder, Karmel (Seth) Janz, Colin
Schroeder, Bill (Heather) Lofstgard, Tiffany (Sean)Vannett, and
Timothy M. (Ashley)Schroeder; 16 great grandchildren; and one great-
great-grandson. He is also survived by sisters-in-law: Willis Busse of
Cavalier and Doris (Austin) Otto of Hensel; and numerous nieces and
nephews.
Ted was the last surviving member of his immediate family, preceded
in death by his parents; siblings: Emily, Leonard, Alfred, Edward,
Sidney, Lorne, Florence, Floyd, and Elizabeth (Betty); brothers-in-
law: Magnus (Mike) Bjornson and Clair Busse; and a great-grandson,
J.D. Warfield.
A visitation was held Tuesday, June 18 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the
Askew Funeral Home in Cavalier.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19th, 2013
at Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Lori Broschat
officiating. Music will be provided by the North Valley Community
Men's Choir and Jan Morrison. Casket Bearers will be: Robert Blair,
Mike Busse, Dennis Hartje, John Morgan, Ray Steiger, and Robert (Kayo)
Vivatson. Honorary Pallbearers will be all his Tuesday night partners
in song, the North Valley Community Men's Choir. Burial will be in
the Zion Cemetery east of Cavalier.