James "Jim" Clarence Schroeder

James Schroeder, 93, peacefully entered into the arms of his Savior on Saturday, December 13, 2025, surrounded by his loving family while under the care of Aspirus Hospice at his home.

Jim was born June 20, 1932, in Milwaukee, to the late Clarence and Sylvia (Schmidt) Schroeder. He graduated from Racine Lutheran High School in 1950 and proudly served in the United States Navy Seabees Construction Battalion.  He began his career in operating heavy equipment at Drott Manufacturing and fondly remembered working at the Tomahawk Proving Grounds and traveling to Europe and Vietnam to demonstrate and maintain Drott equipment.  It was while working at Drott that he met his wife, Marla Kirstein, and they were married on June 13, 1959. Together, they owned and operated Schroeder Excavating, Inc. in the Wausau area for over 25 years.

Jim loved to travel and especially loved trips to his favorite place, Alaska. He also loved hunting, which he did out west, in Spain, the Yukon, and on a few trips to Africa.  Over the years, Jim and Marla spent time snowmobiling, 4-wheeling, and traveling in their motor home, taking them on many adventures throughout the states and Canada.

He is survived by his daughter, Jodene (Stephen) Meinel, Weston, and their children, Tyler, Chad (Ana), and Keaton (Megan); sons, Jeffrey Schroeder, Tucson, AZ, and Todd Schroeder, Knowlton, and his children, Tucker and Taylen; as well as great-grandchildren, Dean and Naira. He is further survived by his sisters, Barbara (David) Ische and Susan (Gary) Dake; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Marla; his granddaughter, Lacey Meinel; his brother, Thomas Schroeder; and brother/sister-in-laws Ronald (Donna Farris) Kirstein and Karmen (Marvin) Hanke.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025, at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church, 1351 S. Grand Avenue, Schofield, WI 54476. Pastor Jeffrey Mahnke will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Private interment will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Kronenwetter.

Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Weston is assisting the Schroeder family with arrangements. You may sign the family guestbook at www.ascendweston.org.