Pine Knot News - A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news

Maria Mae Schroeder, 89, of Cloquet and formerly of McGregor, passed away on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton. She was born in Durbin, North Dakota on Jan. 19, 1933, to Elmer and Nellie Gust. She grew up in North Dakota. Maria married James Frank Schroeder on Feb. 19, 1949. They farmed near Evansville, Minnesota until they moved to Esko, where they raised their family.

Maria was a representative for the Stanley Home Products Company for 60 years, retiring as a branch manager. She was an accomplished hostess, cook and seamstress.

She enjoyed snowmobiling, music and dancing and spending time with friends and family. Maria also enjoyed traveling, including notable trips to Mexico, Alaska and Hawaii as well as visiting most of the 50 states. She attained her private pilot's certificate at the age of 50.

Maria was active in several social clubs, including the Tamarack Sno Flyers, TOPS and the Minnewawa Sportsmen Club, as well as the Carlton VFW.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James; brother, Charles; and sister Janice.

She is survived by her five children, Susan Bonneville of Cloquet, Allen (Wendy) Schroeder of Grasston, Dale Schroeder of Wrenshall, JoAnn (Ronald) Wirkkula of Hibbing, and Wendy Skog of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 13 grandchildren, Tracy, Renee, Raquel, Robert, Thomas, David, Alyssa, LeeAnn, Nathan, Airin, Adrienn, Amy and Scott; sisters Margaret Bankers and Jane Reitan; 12 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be no services, at Maria's request. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Carlton VFW Auxiliary, 124 Chestnut Ave., Carlton MN 55718. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet. To sign the guestbook and leave an online tribute, see http://www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.

Pine Knot News, Dec. 9, 2022