Larry Schrader

Larry James Schrader, 84 was born in Devils Lake, North Dakota on September 6th, 1938, to Kenneth and Helen (Foard) Schrader. He was educated and raised in Hampden, North Dakota with a brother and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

After High School, Larry joined the Navy and served honorably for 4 years. Once completing Boot Camp, he was assigned to Newport, RI for Gunners Mate School, and Pre Com School. Upon completing training, Larry was stationed in Boston, Massachusetts, where he served on the world’s first guided missile destroyer, the USS Gyatt DDGI, which was commissioned on December 7th, 1956. He engaged in several missions throughout the world while on the USS Gyatt DDGI, enjoying the chance to see various countries experiencing different cultures, which taught him the love for travel. Larry was also a member of the Navy Honor Guard Team, who fired the 21-gun Salute when Alaska became the 49th state and when Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959. He was honored a plank owner of the USS Gyatt. Larry was a resolute patriotic man and held an unbelievable love for his country.

In September 1959 while on leave from the Navy, Larry met his wife Judy Fischer, on a blind date through mutual friends and later they married on October 10th, 1961, in Mount Carmel, ND. Larry and Judy were married for 61 years. They raised 3 children (a daughter, and 2 sons) together. He loved spending time with his kids whether it was attending their school activities, sporting events, numerous trips, or a personal event for his family. Later in life, he never missed his 2 grand children’s activities and was their number 1-fan!

His professional work career started outside the Ag Cultural business, but once he had an opportunity to work in the Ag Cultural business, he never looked back. He spent over 45 years in various roles such as a sale representative, General Manager, and Regional Director in ND, SD, MN, MT, and Canada. The companies Larry worked included J. R. Simplot, Allied Chemical, and ConAgra International Fertilizer. He excelled at his work and was awarded Top sales in several Category many times. His loyalty was to his customers, who became great friends along with many of them becoming his second family for over 45 years.

Larry’s hobbies included hunting, gardening, playing cards with his buddies, cheering on the UND “Fighting Sioux”, visiting with friends, and traveling the U.S. His favorite place was the state of North Dakota and the people who live here. We believe he had been through most of the towns in ND, spending time in many cafes, as Lars always had a place to stop for coffee and his favorite pie along his travels. Larry was a passionate season ticket holder for the UND Fight Sioux Sports.

Larry was a member of the Elks, Eagles, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AM Vets and Navy League. He was a proud member of the UND Champions Club. He was a member of the many North Dakota Agriculture organizations along with many of the joining states Agriculture organizations.

He was an amazing person who was a Husband, Father, Grandpa, Brother, Son, Uncle, Friend, who loved people. Family meant everything to him, he was extremely proud of his entire family “relatives included” His grandchildren held a special place in his heart that only they shared with him.

He is survived by his wife Judy; daughter Janelle (Brent Lundeby) of Savage, MN; son Troy (Sally) of Fargo, ND; son Loren of Burnsville, MN. Grandchildren Samantha Schrader and Logan Schrader of Fargo, ND. Deidre (Ed) O’Keefe Minneapolis, MN. Daren (Jade) Greene, Grand Forks, ND. Great Grandkids Dahlia O’Keefe, Minneapolis, MN, and Tucker Greene, Grand Forks, ND. Many nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Helen Schrader, brother Keith, Father and mother-in -law Bert and Margaret Fischer, Brother-in law Thomas Fischer, Raymond Fetsch, Clifford “Kip” McCoy Jr., Sister-in-law Pat Fischer, Nephews, Mike Muhs and Keith Schrader, Nieces Cheryl Condon, and Carrie Fischer.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo, ND. A private burial service will be held at North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery in Mandan, ND with military honors. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren, nieces, nephews and all Ag industry.

In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests donations be made to the Parkinson’s Association in Larry’s name.