Karl William Schroeder was called to his heavenly home on February 7, 2026. He was born August 4, 1937, to August and Mathilda Schroeder in rural Decatur, Indiana. He is survived by three children, James (Teresa) Schroeder, of Indianapolis; David (Linda) Schroeder, of Fort Wayne; Lori (Thomas Smith) of Richmond; and by 14 grandchildren: Ben (and Catie) Schroeder; Kate (and Stephen) Edwards; Monica Schroeder; Abby Haslem; John Schroeder, Maureen (and Steven) Bobek; Stephen Schroeder; Sophie Haslem; William Schroeder; Anna Schroeder, Peter Schroeder; Jane Schroeder; Laura Schroeder; and Michael Schroeder. He is also survived by one great-grandson (Max). Karl was preceded in death by his parents; by his brother James, whom he lost when they were just teenagers; by his beloved wife of 54 years, Linda; by his grandson Daniel and by infant grandson Joseph.
A member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, New Haven, he was a life-long Lutheran—baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Bingen; graduated from Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne; and called to serve the church and its synod in numerous lay positions through his long life.
A devoted husband who cared for Linda so attentively in her final years, he was also a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who remembered everyone’s birthday with special cards—or in the last years, text messages.
Trained in his early years as a tool and die maker, he went on to manage the family’s dairy farm in rural Decatur for much of his life. Though he later went back into the industry in which he had been trained, he always said farming was the work he loved most
A funeral service for Karl will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 800 Green Street, New Haven, Indiana with Pastor David Stecker officiating. Burial will follow at Emanuel Lutheran Cemetery in New Haven, Indiana.
Friends and family will be received from 3-7 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026 at Emanuel Lutheran Church, New Haven and one hour prior to services on Saturday at church
Memorials may be made to Emanuel Lutheran Church, New Haven; to Worship Anew; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
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