Alfred W. Schadendorf

January 19, 1939 - September 26, 2023

 

Alfred “Al” Wilhelm Schadendorf, Jr. of Lone Rock, IA, age 84, passed away on September 26, 2023, from cardiac arrest after an unexpected short illness.

 

Alfred was born on January 19, 1939, near Ledyard, IA to Alfred W. Schadendorf and Luella (Junkermeier) Schadendorf. Following graduation from Lone Rock High School in 1957, Al worked in construction near his home until joining the U.S. Air Force on May 13, 1959. After attending basic training and Air Police School in Texas, Al was stationed near Spokane, WA at Geiger Air Force Base.

 

While in the Air Force, Alfred met Margaret “Peggy” Noreen Iverson in Spokane and they were married at Pilgrim Lutheran Church on November 5, 1960. To this union, 4 children were born: Michael James in 1961, twins Gayle Diane and Nancy Ilene in 1964 and Karen Annette in 1972.

 

Alfred attended welding school in Spokane while in the service. After his military discharge on May 13, 1963, the family moved back to Iowa. Alfred worked as a welder at Snap-On Tools until March of 1967, when he began employment as an officer in the Algona Police Department, where he continued in various positions for the next 22 years.

 

After retiring from the Algona Police Force in March 1989, he continued his working career for another 14 years in the Maintenance Department of Kossuth Regional Health Center. Helping a local farmer in the Fall for many years brought him a lot of pleasure. Since both of them enjoyed stock car racing, Al and Peggy became promoters at the local fairgrounds from 1994 through 1996. They were inducted into the Kossuth County Agriculture & Motorsports Museum Racing Hall of Fame as Promoters in 2014. They also owned a retail store in downtown Algona for several years.

 

Upon retirement, Al and Peggy moved to Mesquite, NV in 2003, where they lived until 2020, when they returned to the family home in Lone Rock, IA.

Al was raised on the family farm just south of Lone Rock. Being the only boy with three older and three younger sisters, he always stated he was spoiled rotten, but the girls all talked about what a challenge it was having a very active brother and told stories of his tricks and antics!

 

Throughout his life, Alfred loved being outdoors. He was an avid trapper from the age of fourteen and walked miles along the Black Cat Creek on his trap-line. This was a hobby that continued after the Air Force for many more years. Al loved fishing and hunting and took every opportunity to do either. Another hobby was pistol shooting. He was a state pistol champion for 2 years while on the Algona Police Force. Other hobbies were bowling, playing cards, baseball, softball and car racing of all kinds. Alfred was a longtime member of the American Legion and the Algona Lions Club.

Alfred was baptized at an early age and was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Burt, where he remained a member until his discharge from the military. Upon moving to Algona, the family joined Trinity Lutheran Church where he was an active member for 39 years, attending church services when possible while on the police force, then serving as an Elder.

While living in Mesquite, Al and Peggy were charter members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church there. Al was very active in that church planting and served as Financial Secretary for many years. He was usher, greeter, and general go-to person for anything that needed to be done. Al never missed a day of reading his Daily Devotions on the computer.

Alfred is survived by and will be greatly missed by Peggy, his wife of over 62 years, son Michael (Patti Carstensen), daughters Gayle Schadendorf and Karen Schadendorf (Melissa Burner), and grand-daughter Shelbi Schadendorf. Sisters Sandra Harms (Harold), Kathryn Schadendorf, and Janet McGuire; sister-in-law Elinor Iverson; and brother-in-law Junior Hurlburt. Since he was part of a large family, he has many beloved nieces and nephews.

Alfred was preceded in death by his daughter Nancy, parents, parents-in-law, and grandparents; sisters Elnora Hurlburt, Joann Kinne and Ruth Nichols; brothers-in-law Ron Nichols, Tim McGuire, Bill and Jack Iverson; sister-in-law Lucile Iverson; and niece Judy Iverson.

Visitation will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Burt, IA, from 3-5p.m. on Sunday, October 1. His funeral will be on Monday, October 2, at 11a.m. The interment will be near the family farm in Fenton Township Cemetery. All are invited to a time of lunch and fellowship at the church following the service and interment.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 109 Maple Street, PO Box 98, Burt, IA 50522 or the charity of your choice.

The family wishes to thank everyone for their kind expressions of sympathy and your thoughts and prayers.