12/15/2004

Louie William Schackel was born August 27, 1916 on the home farm in Carlos Township, to William and Emma (Miller) Schackel. Louie was raised on the farm and attended country school. Following his schooling he began farming with his father. The farm was established in 1886 by Louie’s grandfather.

Louie married Eileen Larson on September 6, 1942 in Belle River Township. They became the parents of four children and resided in rural Carlos. Louie took over the farm in 1943 following his father’s death. He continued farming until the late 1980s when he quit milking. Louie continued to help on the farm until he suffered a stroke in 1995. In the year 2000 he moved from the farm to an apartment at Bethel Manor. Recently he moved to an apartment on McKay.

Louie served as a 4-H leader for many years, both for his children and grandchildren. He was instrumental in building the 4-H Food Stand at the fairgrounds. Louie enjoyed hunting deer, ducks and pheasant. He also enjoyed fishing and flower gardening. Louie was an excellent card player. He enjoyed all card games, especially whist, rummy and Skip-bo. He enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren to play cards.

Louie was sexton of the Carlos Prairie Cemetery for many years. He served on the cemetery boards for Carlos Prairie and also for Trinity Lutheran Church. Louie was one of the last gravediggers in Douglas County to dig graves by hand. He laid many people to rest.

On December 8, 2004 Louie died at the age of 88. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen; grandsons, Joel Rairdon and Isaac Rairdon; son-in-law, Donald Nelson; and sister, Helen Ondracek.

Louie is survived by his son, David (Linda) Schackel of Carlos; daughters, Lois (David) Rairdon of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Beverly (Paul) Rairdon of Clearbrook, and Sharon (Dr. Robert) Drakeford of Auburn, Alabama; 26 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held at Trinity Lutheran Church of Carlos on December 11 with the Rev. Robert Petersen officiating. Joan Petersen provided music. Interment followed in Carlos Prairie Cemetery. Louie’s grandchildren served as pallbearers and his great-grandchildren were named honorary pallbearers.

Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home.