Rev. David W. Schroeder

David William Schroeder was born in Pontiac, Michigan on November 25, 1938, to Max and Gladys Schroeder (Ottum). David was their only son, but he was blessed with 2 older sisters, Peggy Jo and Maxine, and a younger sister, Mitzie. He grew up in Pontiac, but at a very young age, had a “calling” to become a Minister. At only 14 years old, he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to attend Concordia College Prep School (1953-1955). From there, he went to Concordia, Jr. College, also in Milwaukee (1955-1959). Following that, he went to Concordia Senior College (1959-1961), in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was there, on a beach volleyball court, he met, and later, fell in love with Beverly Ann Bender. They were married on August 26, 1962. After graduating from Sr. College, David attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri from 1961-1965.

Dave served his Vicarage (serving a church under a Senior Pastor) at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Aurora, Illinois. It was there that they welcomed their first daughter, Gloria Jean, in April, 1964. After vicarage was completed, he graduated from St. Louis Seminary and was ordained as a Lutheran Minister at his home church, Grace Lutheran Church in Pontiac, in 1965. Leaving family behind in the Midwest (Indiana and Michigan), David and Beverly accepted his first call to ministry at Immanuel Lutheran in New Plymouth, Idaho and simultaneously at Concordia Lutheran Church in Weiser, Idaho. It was there, in May, 1966 that they were blessed with their 2nd daughter, Gretchen Sue. He served in Idaho from 1965 to 1967. Bev, Dave and his 2 young daughters then moved farther west, to Albany, Oregon. Good Shepherd was a mission congregation and David became the first Pastor when he was installed in April, 1967. It was there, David and Beverly welcomed their youngest daughter, Gwendolyn Jo in July, 1967.

David saw the congregation at Good Shepherd through much growth, building projects and some rough times within the Lutheran Church. When the Lutheran church separated into 3 Synods in the 1970’s, he found a need to start anew. He was called to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Fresno, California. In July, 1980, Dave, Bev and their 3 daughters moved from Albany, Oregon to Fresno, California. David served a wonderful and warm congregation in Fresno, while he watched his girls starting their new lives in California. In April, 1990, Dave celebrated 25 years of ministry with a wonderful gathering of congregants from nearly all of his prior churches, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran. Later in 1990, David accepted a call to United Lutheran in Manteca, California. He was installed there in July, 1990 and resigned in April, 2000.

Following that ministry, he took a long-term Interim position at Faith Lutheran Church in Reno, Nevada for 1 ½ years. Even in such a short time, he touched the congregation there, visiting every single member in their home. He continued filling in for Pastors all over the Central Valley. His last “official” service was a funeral service in April, 2017. He and Beverly settled into Zion Lutheran Church in Stockton, CA and that remained their “home” church throughout the end of their lives.

Although Ministry was his vocation, he also served in the United States Navy Reserves as a Chaplain. He signed on in 1962 (without telling Beverly first) and Retired as a Captain in September, 1993. David loved serving the Navy and Marines through his military ministry. He spoke often about his time in the service, fondly. He was extremely proud of earning the rank of Captain and his personalized license plate read, “CHC 06”. Although all of his daughters were encouraged to apply to the US Naval Academy, none did. However, in his later life, David was very proud to know his grandson, Carter William, would attend the US Naval Academy in Annapolis. He and Bev drove across the country in 2017 to see Carter on I-Day and to swear him in, in a private ceremony. David always liked to refer to Carter as “our boy”.

David’s family was always important to him. He was so proud of his daughters. His eldest, Gloria, excelled in sports of track, gymnastics and swimming. Lettering in a varsity sport as a Freshman. Gloria graduated from High School in 1982 at Hoover HS in Fresno, California. In 1985, he married (officiated the marriage of) Gloria, to Jay Christiansen. That marriage gave way to his first two granddaughters, Madison Merlot (1987) and Makenna Rae (1991). Later in life, Gloria married Jim Zion, in 2007, with David performing the wedding ceremony. This marriage added Tyler and Sarah Zion to his grandchildren family. Madison (his first grandchild) was his pride and joy. Madison married Daniel Van Der Kooi, while Dave participated, in 2013. That marriage produced his only great grand-children (4), Harlan Jay, Hayes Daniel, Brooks Wayne and Elsie Ann. He was blessed to meet each of these precious children before he went to see Bev. We are certain he told Beverly all about Elsie Ann (the first great granddaughter and her namesake).

Gretchen was the middle daughter and David and Beverly enjoyed watching Gretchen excel in her academics, as well as volleyball, basketball and softball. They were so proud of her when she earned the honor of Senior Girl Athlete in 1984. While she attended CSU Fresno, she lived at home with he and Bev until she met Thomas Smith. David married Tom and Gretchen in June, 1988, shortly after Gretchen graduated from Fresno State. Gretchen and Tom were both teachers in the Bakersfield area, and that marriage produced 2 more beautiful granddaughters in Katie Jo and Emily Schroeder (A namesake that will live on through her). Tom and Gretchen celebrated 33 years before he passed.

Finally, David was also proud of his youngest, Gwendolyn Jo. Although hoping upon all hope “she” would be a “he”, after finding out the third was also a girl, he lovingly said, “Well, now we have a trio!” He enjoyed watching Gwen swim, early on, and (much to his chagrin) she gave up band to be a cheerleader. He married Gwen to Bill Stout in August, 1988. That marriage produced the last of his biological grandchildren; Sydney Marissa (1994), Kelsey Tatum (1996) and Carter William (1998). David also married Gwen to Martin Connolly in June, 2004. This added Sean Paul to his grandchildren family.

Outside of his Ministries, David enjoyed boating, waterskiing and camping with his family. The family had a ski boat which he named, “ACALL”. That way, if he wasn’t at the church but was out boating, he could honestly say he was out on “A call”. Family vacations were usually spent camping (real “tent” camping) somewhere with a lake. Early morning fishing, all day water skiing, picnicking wherever they anchored the boat and making memories to last a lifetime.

David had other “passions” in his life, such as music. He began playing the trombone at an early age. For trombone, he was invited to Interlachen – to learn and play with some of the greatest musicians in the country. His time there was treasured. Later in life, he played baritone, bassoon, guitar and led many Christian campfires and youth groups in song. Often his grandchildren would be so excited to see David play the trombone, while Beverly played the accordion. His love of music also inspired that same love in his girls.

Finally, in his “spare” time, he became a master woodworker. He was self-taught and made everything from dressers, to cradles, to bunk beds, coffee tables and numerous pieces of furniture. Many of which remain keepsakes in our family, as well as many members he provided his “art” for. His woodworking was slowed down after amputating his right thumb in 2009 in a woodworking accident.

Dave and Bev loved to travel extensively. They have wonderful memories of cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexico. One memorable cruise was provided by his daughters as a gift for their 50th wedding anniversary in the summer of 2012. The girls, their husbands and all of his grandchildren were able to attend to celebrate their “Golden Anniversary”. When Beverly passed away, they had been married for 57 and ½ years.

David was so many things to so many people. He was a son, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a faithful husband, a father, a Captain, a minister, a counselor, a leader and a wonderful musician and singer. He was loved by all that had the privilege of meeting him. No family is ever perfect and through his life, there were issues, some drama and tears. Those were all resolved and floated away as his girls were there with him as he went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Somerford Place, a memory care facility where he spent two years, and A Place Called Home where he went on December 9, 2021. The care he received in his time there was unbelievably genuine and loving. Finally, they thank the staff (nurses, social workers, and Chaplain) of Oyuna Hospice who were with him as of February 9, 2022. We are certain our father is smiling down and remembering times spent with all of you, fondly. A legacy, in simple terms, means passed from one generation to the next. We are grateful for being raised by David and Beverly and pray their legacy will last through many generations.