Harold “Harry” A. Schramel, age 81, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 24, 2025 at Galeon Senior Living in Osakis, Minnesota, with his wife Karen by his side.
There will be no services held. Instead, a celebration of Harry’s life with family and friends will be held later this year in Sauk Centre.
Harry was born on February 11, 1944, in Belgrade, Minnesota, the youngest of seven children born to Edmund and Sylvia (Weimerskirsch) Schramel. He grew up on the family farm near Padua, attended the “little red schoolhouse” now located in Sauk Centre, and graduated from Sauk Centre High School in 1961.
He served in the Minnesota National Guard, then worked at the bank in Carlos before moving to St. Paul where he met the love of his life, Karen Anderson. They married on August 14, 1965 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. He worked for the defense contractor Unisys in the Twin Cities for over 30 years, retiring in 1996 as a human resources manager at the company location in Eagan. Harry and Karen raised their sons, Tony and Scott, in St. Paul for 14 years before moving to Apple Valley in 1979. After retirement, they lived on Big Birch Lake near Grey Eagle for 24 years where they ran a successful cleaning business. Harry’s favorite job in retirement was driving a school bus, and the kids loved him. He and Karen then moved to Sauk Centre.
Harry’s hobbies were keeping his lawn perfect and fishing for northerns. He also loved woodworking, cooking, and frequently hosting friends and family. Harry’s happiest times were spent making others happy. He was a cheerful, outgoing man who loved to laugh and be around others. He had a great sense of humor and brought a smile to everyone he met. He loved watching western movies – particularly anything with John Wayne – and was a big Elvis Presley fan. Harry was a great storyteller and very humble but had such a bright personality that he was always the center of attention in any setting. He leaves behind decades of stories and memories, and he will be greatly missed.
Harry was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Edmund and Howard Schramel, his sisters Eunice Meyer and Myrle Uphus, and his daughter-in-law Kristy Schramel.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Karen Schramel, his brothers Nick Schramel and James (Betty) Schramel, his sons Tony (Kathy) and Scott (Sheri) Schramel, his grandchildren James (Edith) Schramel, John Schramel, and Kortney (Logan) Bratton, and his great-grandchildren Brody and Lennon Bratton, as well as many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
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