Jim (Arnold James) Schroeder, 90

Published 7:01 am Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Jim (Arnold James) Schroeder, 90, of Adams, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2020, at the Adams Healthcare Center in Adams.

Jim (Arnold James) Schroeder, 90

Jim was born on Jan. 3, 1930, in Ortonville, Minnesota, to Arnold and Marion (Ness) Schroeder. He grew up in Lanesboro, Minnesota, and later attended the University of Minnesota, where he attained both Bachelors of Science and Masters of Arts Degrees in agriculture education. A summer working as a cook on the Alaskan Railroad provided Jim with experiences that translated to great stories later in life. In 1952, Jim started his teaching career in LeRoy, Minnesota. There he met Shirley Asper. They were married in 1954 in Adams. He served in the U.S. Army at Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Virginia, then taught vocational agriculture in Mabel, Minnesota, and high school sciences in Rose Creek, Minnesota. He enjoyed farming near Adams, raising both crops and hogs. Jim believed in conservation practices and that the only constant in agriculture is change.

Jim lived most of his adult life in Adams, where he was active at Little Cedar Lutheran Church, serving as caretaker for many years. He served on the SE Minnesota Education Cooperative Services Unit, Southland Community School Board and Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council. He had a great love of music, playing saxophone in the Minnesota Gophers Marching Band and in a weekend dance band. He sang tenor with the Forte Milers Barbershop Chorus and the church choir. Jim was also an active member of the Adams Lions Club for many years and loved dancing with the Austin Promenades Square Dance Club.

Jim believed, and impressed on his family, that education is a lifelong process. He was an avid reader, learner, teacher, and storyteller. He was a kind and loving father and grandfather who instilled the love of family, learning, service, music, nature and camping in his children and grandchildren. He always believed that everyone has a story and we must each write our own.

He is survived by one sister, Barb (Howard) Borgen of Rochester, Minnesota; his wife, Shirley Schroeder; five children, Cindy (John) Jax of Adams, Julie Borseth (Duane Danielson) of Ankeny, Iowa, Sue (Greg) Nesheim of Eagan, Minnesota, Steve (Audrey) Schroeder of Adams and Darcy (Brian) Mullenbach of Stewartville, MInnesota; 13 grandchildren, Eric (Christina) Jax, Amy (Shane) Hahn, Aaron (Sarah) Jax, Kevin (Angie) Jax, Kaden Borseth, Jason Borseth, Sarah (Lucas) Westby, Kyle (Brittany) Nesheim, Leah (Aaron) Crandall, Megan (Mike) Zillgitt, Mitchell (Tony Favre) Schroeder, Matthew (Annie) Schroeder and Danielle Mullenbach; and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Marion Schroeder; two brothers, Donald Schroeder and Charles Schroeder; and infant grandson, Adam Nesheim.

A private service will be celebrated with Pastor Jeremy Johnson officiating. Interment will be at Little Cedar Cemetery in Adams. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Lions Club Eye Bank, Little Cedar Church or American Cancer Society.

The Adams Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolence can be made at www.clasenjordan.com.