Paul James Schroeder, 66 of Big Lake MN was born on Easter Sunday April 20th, 1957 in Michigan, North Dakota to parents Arthur and Ann (Hultin) Schroeder. Paul passed away with his daughter Ashley by his side December 3rd, 2023 after a 6 month battle with Laryngeal cancer. Paul came home on Hospice Care on October 27th, 2023 where his wife Anna cared for him at their home with the help of his daughter Ashley.

Paul graduated from Lakota High School in 1975. He held many jobs in Lakota, ND such as a gas station attendant and doing custom combining on the road in different states. Shortly after graduating he joined the local fire department in North Dakota. Later, he would marry and relocate to Big Lake Minnesota in the early 80’s, where he raised two children Ashley and Jesse Schroeder. He had the honor of joining the Big Lake Fire Department in 1998 and spent 10 years serving his community.

He was a man of many talents who could fix anything and everything. He had a lot of love and respect for the elderly. He always worked very hard to support his family working construction jobs, running machinery in the gravel pits and then doing maintenance of apartment buildings. 

Paul loved ice fishing and his annual trip to Lake of the Woods with his friends. He made thirty years of memories and was very proud to have started such a tradition with his longtime friend, Ron Mausolf and others. He enjoyed hunting with family and friends, and loved searching for agates that he would later polish. This hobby has been passed down from his mother to him and now to his daughter Ashley, and grandson Ryder. He was a very outgoing and sociable man who never met a stranger who didn’t become a friend. 

Years ago, Ashley worked at a nursing home where she met Anna. Eventually, Anna and Paul dated which led to their marriage on June 22, 2019, in Becker, Minnesota. They made their home in Becker, eventually taking to the road and becoming full time RV-er’s, where of course they made many more friends in many states with their special dog, “Nip.” 

He is survived by his wife Anna, daughter Ashley & Brian Vollhaber (Princeton, MN), Jesse Schroeder (Valley City, ND), and daughter in law Skye Voigt. Paul was the best, “Papa,” to two special grandchildren who he loved very much and adored. Ryder Vollhaber and Elysium (Ely) Voigt. 

Siblings Aileen (Duane) Sandwick of Grand Forks, ND, Alvin (Deb) Schroeder of Devils Lake, ND, and Nedra Hoberg of Grand Forks, ND. He was preceded in death by his brother, Arlan, his parents, and his beloved dog, “Chuck.” 

In lieu of flowers, Paul’s family would like to suggest memorial contributions be sent to the Big Lake Fire Department through his Everloved page: https://everloved.com/life-of/paul-schroeder/

We would like to send a special thank you to the hospice team at St. Croix Hospice for helping his last days be as peaceful and comfortable as possible. The Mausolf family (Ron, Sue, Ronny and Matt) and the Cantin’s (Jim and Edna) for many years of close friendship and memories. Also, to his self-appointed “nephews.” Alex Kurtz, Cody Daudt, Alex Olson, Bob Vaughan, Cody Lundgren, Ethan Grimlie and Joe Orsburne, “The Painter.” 

To honor her father, Paul’s memory, his daughter Ashley and family will hold a celebration of life on Paul’s 67th birthday on April 20th, 2024. More details to follow...