The Richmond News, Feb. 6, 2026

Karl Heinz Schoenrade, 73, Orrick, passed away Jan. 26, 2026, at Ray County Memorial Hospital and Healthcare in Richmond.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at Calvary Christian Union Church, 438 Benton St., Excelsior Springs.

Karl was born July 5, 1952, to Alfred and Anna Schoenrade in Detroit.

Karl’s formative years were spent in the Detroit metro area, but he attended Concordia Preparatory School in Wisconsin before returning to Michigan to attend the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor to complete his undergraduate work. His academic career took him back to Wisconsin, where he attended Concordia University of Wisconsin, a private Lutheran college on the shores of Lake Michigan, where he obtained a master’s degree in German and Theology.

He pastored a Lutheran church in Fort Wayne, Ind., his first assignment, while he was still attending classes. He concluded his academia at the University of Kansas.

He pastored many Lutheran churches in the Kansas City metro area and was a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Unfortunately, due to Karl’s all-inclusive nature, he left the Lutheran denomination and began pastoring at a Christian church in Independence. Later, he assisted at the Calvary Christian Church in Excelsior Springs.

Karl was always interested in conversation, a natural talker. He loved throwing German vernacular into everyday conversations and speaking German to anyone that could speak it back.

He was a proud member of AA for 15 years, where he met many friends. He acted as president for Sertoma (SERvice TO MAnkind) of Kansas City, a major nonprofit organization that states its purpose is “to meet the needs of communities through volunteer service.”

He married Paula Frank on Jan. 19, 2009. He enjoyed reading his Bibles in English and in German; and his beloved dogs, Zoey and Princess.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Anna Shoenrade; and a brother, Brian Schoenrade.

Karl is survived by his wife, Paula; stepson, Eugene Neil; and stepdaughter, Samantha Neil. Other survivors include his granddaughter, Mazie; sisters, Kelly Merck and Marge Rochowiak; brother, David Schoenrade; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Richmond.