Robert F. "Bob" Schendel

Robert (Bob) Freddie Schendel, age 81 of Waverly, Minnesota, died on August 16, 2025 at his family farm.
He was born June 27, 1944 at St. Andrew's Hospital in Minneapolis, the son of Fred and Frieda (Marohn) Schendel. He was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, baptized July 20, 1944 at his family home near Waverly by the Rev. Eugene Seltz, and was confirmed on March 30,1958 by the Rev. Gerhard C. Michael.
He attended country school in Woodland Township and then St. James Lutheran School, graduating from eighth grade in 1958. He graduated from Howard Lake-Wavery High School in1962. His plans to attend college after high school changed when a neighbor had farm land for sale and Bob convinced his parents to purchase the land. When his mother died in 1967, Bob's father decided to work in machine assembly, placing Bob in charge of the farm. He also served in the Minnesota National Guard, based in Camp Ripley, for six years.
Bob was united in marriage to Doris Butterfass on December 6, 1969 at St. James with the Rev. Michael officiating. Their union was blessed by the births a daughter and two sons.
Bob and Doris purchased the Schendel family farm and expanded it to 300 acres over the years. Bob had dairy cows until 1978, then raised sheep and later had beef cattle for several years. He also worked as a seed salesman for Northrup King for over two decades. Bob had served on the St. James school board, finance committee and as a church elder, as well as being an usher for 50 years.
In his seventh decade of life, Bob rented out his farmland. He focused on gardening, clearing brush along the fields, and mowing lawn – which was what he was doing when God called him to heaven. Bob loved to go fishing in the summer and winter, he also hosted deer hunting for family and friends. He shared his delicious pickled fish, garden vegetables and flowers with others.
Losing his mom at an early age, Bob had compassion for people experiencing loss. He would visit friends and neighbors who were ill or suffering with grief. His happiness was most evident when he was fishing, enjoying a tasty meal or playing cards and games with his grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Fred and Frieda, and his granddaughter, Geneva Fasching.
He is survived by his wife, Doris; daughter, Julie (Terry) Fasching of Waverly; sons, Jon (Jody) Schendel of Spencer, Iowa and Jim (Amy) Schendel of Kilkenny; grandchildren, Christopher Fasching, Caroline (Josh) Taylor, Andrew Fasching, Ivy Fasching; Joseph Schendel, Jackson Schendel and Jillian Schendel; and Holly (Michael) Tietz, Henry Schendel and Heidi Schendel; brother and sister-in-law Don and Linda Schendel of Polk, Ohio; brother-in-law Loren Butterfass; nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
Funeral services were held August 20, 2025 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN. Pastor Mark Loder officiated and Vicar Gabriel Hallock assisted with the funeral service.
The organist was Nancy Butterfass.
Pallbearers were Joseph Schendel, Jackson Schendel, Jillian Schendel, Caroline Taylor, Andrew Fasching and Ivy Fasching. Honorary pallbearer was Christopher Fasching.
The Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted served the family. Online condolences may be made to