Dale Eldon Schroeder

Dale Eldon Schroeder of Walla Walla died on May 22, 2026, at the age of 84.

Dale was born in Sadorus, Illinois, on December 11, 1941, to Harold and Bernice Schroeder. Raised on the family farm his entire young life, Dale enjoyed sharing those early years with his older brother, Lowell, and younger brother Hal, playing fastpitch softball, anticipating family fishing trips to Wisconsin, and participating in County Fairs.

Upon his 1959 graduation from Unity High School in Tolono, where he was the editor of the school paper and quarterback for the football team, Dale went on to graduate in 1963 from the University of Illinois with a degree in agriculture and, for decades, continued to wear his Fighting Illini gear with pride.

Dale married his college sweetheart, Mary Lynne Kirchner, in 1964. He enjoyed a career as an Agri-chemical salesman for DuPont. During those years, Dale and Mary Lynne lived in Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Ohio, and finally Washington state. Ready to start a family and thoroughly enjoying the Walla Walla community, they decided to ‘dig deeper roots’ and make Walla Walla their home for the past 57 years.

Dale was an engaged and loving dad to Jan and Susan. He enjoyed coaching his young daughters’ softball teams and was an avid fan of their activities (including cheerleading, volleyball, basketball, tennis, horseback riding and more). Dale was right there, cheering them on and their friends in their endeavors, both athletically and academically. Family gatherings and traditions were important to Dale. Walking his daughters down the aisle to marry their life partners remains a special highlight in their relationships with their dad.

Dale was the best version of himself when he was traveling around the country or the world. He never met a stranger. Favorite trips were a Mediterranean Cruise, Viking River Cruises, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Japan, Ireland, China, and driving all around Europe with Mary Lynne and the girls in the ‘80s. He instilled the value of travel in his entire family, including all of the grandchildren. They all loved “Papa Dale’s travel stories” and have each done extensive traveling already.

An important part of Dale’s daily routine these past several years was having coffee five mornings a week at Clarettes with a small group of very special and caring gentlemen.

Dale is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Lynne Schroeder; his daughter, Jan Sayers (Tim); his daughter, Susan Prudente (Shane); and his grandchildren, Ben (Aimee), Josh, and Adam Sayers, and Peyton, Peter, and Paige Prudente; several nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother and father; his brother, Lowell, and his sister-in-law, Dorothy; and his younger brother, Hal.

Dale was a man of obedient faith who loved Jesus, and we find comfort knowing he is in joyful reunion with many loved ones.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Walla Walla Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make contributions to Walla Walla Presbyterian Church, Walla Walla Community Hospice, or the Walla Walla YMCA through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.