Carl Schauer

Carl Schauer, age 94, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2026, at his home at Edgewood Assisted Living in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Carl was born on January 1, 1932, at the family home near Havelock, North Dakota. He attended the Alden School through the eighth grade. Carl was a bit self-conscious about not having earned a high school diploma, but his children and grandchildren always thought it was kind of cool that he had built such a full and successful life without one.

Anyone who knew Carl knew that farming was woven into every part of his life. He spent his life working the land with a steadfast work ethic. On September 25, 1959, he married Velma Jean Kirschman. Together they made their home near Regent, North Dakota, later moving to Hettinger before relocating in 1970 to Dupree, South Dakota. There, Carl entered into a farming partnership with five of his brothers, helping break new sod and build a livelihood.  In 1993, a son-in-law was added to the business.

     Life on the farm brought its share of challenges: unpredictable weather, equipment breakdowns, low commodity prices, and the complexities of working alongside family. Through it all, Carl remained committed to the work and to providing for those he loved.

In 2022, Carl and Velma moved to Edgewood Assisted Living in Mitchell. Even there, Carl found joy in nurturing life. Behind Edgewood, he cultivated a small organic garden where he proudly grew tomatoes, including his favorite heirloom variety, Aunt Ruby's German Green, along with Blacktail Mountain watermelons and other vegetables. Gardening remained one of his greatest pleasures through 2025.

Carl also had a deep love of music. He taught himself to play the Omnichord and could often be found singing for hours. Whether perfectly on key or not, he sang with all the strength his lungs could muster—and they apparently held plenty of air. His enthusiasm mattered far more than perfect pitch, and his music filled countless hours.

A lifelong student of God's Word, Carl loved reading the Bible, studying Scripture, and discussing his faith with anyone willing to listen. Conversations about the Bible often stretched for hours, reflecting the depth of his convictions and his desire to share them with others.

Family life on the Schauer farm was full of memories both cherished and unforgettable. Carl and Velma raised four daughters and one son in a home with a single 5-by-5-foot bathroom, making school mornings a carefully choreographed event. Farm chores created stories that have become family legends. Few were more memorable than annual chicken butchering day. One year, daughter Kayleen sent a video to her boyfriend in California. The first glimpse he had of life on the Schauer farm was Carl standing proudly with a chicken in one hand and a knife in the other, making sure the camera was rolling before demonstrating the entire process-including the famous headless chicken dance. It was an introduction to farm life that no one involved ever forgot.

Like many farm families, everyone took part in picking rock from the fields—a generational tradition that nobody particularly enjoyed—but it taught hard work, perseverance, and the value of working together.

Above all, Carl treasured his six grandchildren who brought him immense pride and joy: Noah and Sarah Young; John Steinhaus, Andrew, Autumn, and Aaron Hoffman.

Carl is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Velma Schauer of Mitchell, South Dakota; his children, Karla (Randy) Young of League City, Texas; Kari (John) Steinhaus of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Kayleen (Rick) Elliott of Millersburg, Ohio; Kandice (Rod) Hoffman of Dupree, South Dakota; and Karl "KJ" Schauer of Mitchell, South Dakota. He is also survived by his sister, Linda (Kenny) Kouba; his brothers, Samuel (Linda) Schauer and Russell (Sharon) Schauer; along with his six beloved grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kara Schauer; parents, Jacob Jr and Louisa; his brothers Ed Schauer, Otto Schauer, Jake Schauer, Ronald Schauer, and David Schauer; and his sisters Karol Nible, Emma Schaible, and Elizabeth Colgrove.

Service of Remembrance were held Saturday, July 11, 2026 at the Ulmer-Zich American Legion Post in Regent, ND.  Rev. Randy Hahne officiated and burial followed at the Regent Cemetery.  Visitation was one hour prior to the service on Saturday morning at the Legion in Regent.

Carl will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his love for his family, his deep faith, and his enjoyment of gardening, music, and reading God's Word. The lessons he taught through his example and the memories he created will remain with his family for generations.