January 1, 1932 – July 4, 2026 _________________________________________
Carl Schauer, 94, formerly of Dupree, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2026 at his home at Edgewood Assisted Living in Mitchell.
Carl was born on January 1, 1932 at the family home near Havelock, ND. 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. They made their home near Regent, ND, later moving to Hettinger, ND before relocating in 1970 to Dupree. 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. Carl cultivated a small organic garden where he grew tomatoes, including his favorite heirloom variety, Aunt Ruby’s German Green, along with Blacktail Mountain watermelons and other vegetables.
Carl loved music. He taught himself to play the Omnichord and could often be found singing for 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. Carl and Velma raised four daughters and one son in a home with a single 5x5 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.
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; his children, Karla (Randy) Young of League City,TX, Kari (John) Steinhaus of Sioux Falls, Kayleen (Rick) Elliott of Millersburg, OH, Kandice (Rod) Hoffman of Dupree, and Karl “KJ” Schauer of Mitchell; his sister, Linda (Kenny) Kouba; his brothers, Samuel (Linda) Schauer and Russell (Sharon) Schauer; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kara Schauer; his parents, Jacob Jr. and Louisa Schauer; his brothers, Ed, Otto, Jake, Ronald, and David Schauer; and his sisters, Karol Nible, Emma Schaible, and Elizabeth Colgrove.
Service of Remembrance was held Saturday, July 11 at the Ulmer-Zich American Legion Post in Regent, ND with burial at the Regent Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to a fund that will support orphanages and women’s shelters.
Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
(Velma’s address is Edgewood Assisted Living, 501 East Spruce St., Apt. #116, Mitchell, SD 57301.)