Michael L. Schroeder

Michael L. Schroeder, 70 years old, of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away Thursday, August 1, 2013 at the Dougherty Hospice House surrounded by his loving family. Michael was born to Lawrence and Marie Schroeder on May 29, 1943, in Bridgewater, SD. As a child, he attended Stephen?s Grade School and enjoyed helping his father at the family grain elevator. At Bridgewater High School, ?Mick? played basketball and football. Although football was his favorite sport, he served as team manager of the State B Championship Basketball team in 1961.Michael studied Wildlife Management and Agriculture at South Dakota State University (SDSU) from 1961 to 1964. He was a cadet in the US Air Force ROTC. In the summers, Mike worked as a handy man in Sioux Falls, a bookie at the dog tracks in Rapid City, and as a gravel truck driver during the construction of the I-90 interstate. He transferred to Black Hills Teacher?s College in 1964 to specialize in secondary school science education. In 1962, Mike graduated with a B.S. in Biological and Earth Science with a minor in Sociology. Michael later earned his M.Ed. in Education Administration from SDSU in 1993.Michael?s teaching career began at Lake Preston High School in SD where he taught Chemistry and Biology from 1966 to 1968. He started teaching Middle School Earth and Physical Sciences at Jasper Public Schools in Minnesota in 1968 and also began his coaching career in football, wrestling, and track. During the summers of 1972-3, Michael received summer grants from the National Science Foundation to complete graduate course work in Earth Science, Geology, and Astronomy. He enjoyed sharing many stories about the stars at night during his course work at the University of Texas ? Austin. While attending the University of Montana ? Missoula, he participated in an aerial survey and geological history of the Rocky Mountains. Throughout his teaching career, Michael completed graduate courses from the University of Sioux Falls, the University of South Dakota, and the University of Washington. Michael was a Territory Manager for the Agriculture Division of International Multifoods from 1975 to 1985. He was awarded the top sales award and entered the Trail Blazer Club in 1982. He provided consultation, sales, and management services until he returned to teaching, his greatest passion. Michael completed his longest teaching tenure at Estelline High School (EHS). In 1986, the Soil Conservation Service named Michael the SD Conservation Teacher of the Year. He was elected by students five times to ?Who?s Who among American Teachers.? In 1992, he was named SD Assistant Football Coach of the Year. During his last six years, Mike?s Science Department received the first place ranking from the SD Department of Education for student test scores in science. Michael effectively taught many science subjects, inspired mutual respect in the classroom, and gained a reputation for keeping his students actively engaged in their learning. Michael retired from EHS in 2002 and became Assistant Professor at SDSU in the College of Education where he provided laboratory instruction and practicum supervision for future teachers. Michael was united in marriage to Pamela A. Hill in 1975. Pamela and Michael raised two sons together, Thomas (Tom) and Mark. Michael enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities including biking, hiking, antelope hunting and fishing. Michael loved to travel and led his family on epic summer vacations. The family enjoyed long car rides to Florida, yearly visits to the Black Hills, and flying throughout the U.S. and abroad. Mike developed an interest and passion for flying and completed the private pilot licensure requirements. Flying was one of his hobbies and passions as he enjoyed taking his family and friends on various trips. As an owner of a several planes, he was a member of the SD Pilots? Association and the Brookings Grumman Tiger Flying Club. Michael always actively participated in local public affairs. He served as Assistant Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America Troop 4 and was also Boy Scout Troop Committee Chairman. In addition, he was member of SD Football Coaches Association; SD Teacher?s Association; American Association of Retired Teachers; SDSU Alumni Association; SDSU Foundation; and AARP. He served on the City of Brookings Human Rights & Cultural Diversity Committee and various church committees until the family moved to Sioux Falls in 2004.Michael often told jokes and spoke fervently about local issues. Other interests he enjoyed were attending theater productions, SD symphony performances, and collegiate athletic events. He was an avid fan of SDSU, Augustana, and Nebraska football and basketball. During the spring and summer, he was a diligent gardener and innovative handy man around the house at all times.In 2010, Michael was given the gift of life from Deb Nelson when he received a successful kidney transplant. In retirement, he enjoyed golfing, participating in the Sanford Wellness Center in Sioux Falls, and becoming an enthusiastic member of the ?Sanford Wellness Coffee Group.? During the winter, he made trips to Lake Havasu, AZ. Mike also volunteered as a Sioux Falls Project Car driver and as an Escort at Avera McKennan Same Day Surgical Unit. Survivors include his wife, Pamela A. Schroeder, Sioux Falls, SD; sons, Thomas M. Schroeder, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Mark C. Schroeder, Sioux Falls, SD; two sisters, Dorothy ?Dot? Scheurenbrand, Sarasota, FL, Bernadine ?Bern? Schwans, Sioux Falls, SD; and brother, L. Kenneth Schroeder, Bridgewater, SD.A celebration of life service will be held 11:00 am Monday, August 5, 2013 at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church. Visitation with family present will be 3:00pm-5:00pm Sunday, August 4, 2013 at Heritage Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to Avera Transplant, Hematology, Oncology, Dougherty Hospice House and the Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church.www.heritagesfsd.com.