William H. Schaller

William H. Schaller 61, died February 12, 2025 at home in Red Wing, Minnesota. He was born on October 15, 1963 in Kittery, Maine to Janis and Daniel Schaller with a permanent twinkle in his bright blue eyes. Bill grew up an Air Force brat and lived all over the U.S. as a kid. At age 14 he arrived in Red Wing, Minnesota ready for high school. He lived his whole adult life in Red Wing and enjoyed sharing its history with others. 

Bill graduated from Red Wing Central High School in 1981. He studied chemical engineering at the University of Minnesota and graduated with a B.S. in chemistry in 1986. He worked as a nuclear reactor operator at Xcel Energy Prairie Island power plant from 1987 to 2018. It was a job perfectly suited to his brilliant mind and his inquisitive nature. Over his career he developed some of his most important friendships.

Bill bought his house in Red Wing in 1988. He wanted to plant a tree in the yard. In typical Bill fashion, he didn’t just plant a tree or two, he bought a hundred books on the subject and learned everything he could about trees. As an amateur arborist, he planted a forest on his property and then he lovingly cared for it for the next 37 years. Bill was an avid reader, had countless hobbies, and was a serious collector in his lifetime. He was just plain curious about the world. He was also ambitious and made grand future plans. He constantly made lists of what he wanted to do next, forever jotting notes on his hand as a reminder. 

His optimism for the future was ever present, even when he was facing health challenges of which he handled with a quiet grace and determination. He had an endless appetite for so many things—from collecting antique toys, old spark plugs, vintage engines and Red Wing pottery to setting up elaborate salt water fish tanks that rivaled a small town’s water treatment system in complexity and cheering on his beloved University of Minnesota men’s hockey team. 

It would be an understatement to say that Bill loved a good conversation. He just loved talking with people, sharing his passions and getting into the occasional debate. It didn’t matter to him which side of the topic he was debating, the bantering of ideas was the whole point. He liked to travel the country to pick up a fresh acquisition to add to one of his collections. He was happiest when he was at an engine show, tooling around on his golf cart chatting to all the other engine enthusiasts like a bee gathering nectar from flowers. He will be missed by many.

Bill is survived by his mother Janis, his sisters Anna Fischer, Suzy (John) O’Donnell and Joanne (Michael) Morris. He is survived by nieces and nephews Jessica Torgerson and Erin Sutherland, Wilson, Josie, Aidan, and Emmett O’Donnell, and Alex and Elise Morris, and great nieces Lindy and Morgan, many relatives and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his father Daniel and brother-in-law Robby Fischer.

A celebration of life will be Friday, February 21 at Mahn Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel in Red Wing from 3-6pm, with a time of sharing at 5:30 p.m.