On December 1st, the buzzer sounded and Dale Schuler's game of life ended at the age of 79.

His game tipped off on December 29, 1941, in Plymouth, Wisconsin, son of the late Theodore and Louise (Basler) Schuler. Throughout the first quarter, he attended St. Gregory Grade School and was a 1959 graduate of St. Gregory High School. His education continued at UW-Madison in the Farm Short Course program where he graduated in 1960. He joined the Army Reserves for a six-month tour of duty. After this tour of duty, Dale returned to Schuler Dairy Farms full-time. In 1977, Dale & brother and team manager, Roy, began a partnership that lasted until 2004. Throughout this time, his passion for the sport of basketball ignited when he became the volunteer head coach at St. Gregory's. In addition, Dale helped develop the Manitowoc County Little Hoopers basketball league. He also helped develop St. Gregory's Athletic Association.

In the second quarter, he married the love of his life, his assistant coach, Elizabeth (Betty) Schuler at Sacred Heart Parish in Two Rivers on June 19, 1971. They completed their starting line up with their 5 children, Christine (Nic) Schoenberger, Kelly (Jon) Isselmann, Mike (Theresa) Schuler, Matt (Amber) Schuler, and Sarah (Jamie) Arenz. His cheering section grew larger with the birth of his 14 grandchildren--Nicole, Christopher, Bryce, and Ann Marie Schoenberger, Isaac & Reagan Isselmann, Deidre & Regina Schuler, Joseph & Mackenzie Schuler, and Pierce, Jayda, Dane & Maddix Arenz.

Throughout the third quarter, Dale continued to be active in the farm, coaching, and numerous other organizations. He was a member of the Holstein Association Dairy Herd Improvement Cooperative, Lakeshore Farm Management, county and state forage councils, Lake to Lake Dairy Cooperative, and was a member and past president of the Valders Elevator Cooperative. He also became a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Dale was active in his church community, as faith was at the center of all things he did. You could often find him commentating at St. Gregory Parish where he also served on the Finance and School Boards. In 1989, he was enshrined into the Lakeshore Hall of Fame and also was awarded Master Agriculturist in recognition of his agricultural ability and outstanding service to his community and state. After 29 years of coaching at St. Gregs, Dale began coaching JV girls basketball in Kiel, followed by two coaching stints with his daughter Kelly at Valders High School and KABA. No matter where he coached, players, their families, and opposing coaches revered him for what he stood for, as basketball was more than a sport to him, but a way to live life.

When entering the 4th quarter, he knew it was time to slow down and enjoy retirement. He and Betty went on many wonderful adventures to Europe, Alaska, Shipshewana, Colorado, St. Louis and many more. At this time, he became his grandchildren's biggest fan watching numerous sporting events and musical performances. He also finished his 50 year coaching career in 2017.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years Elizabeth (Betty) Schuler, his children and grandchildren, his brother and sister-in-law, Roy & Sharon Schuler; sister and brother-in-law, Diane & Jim Lutz, as well as nieces, nephews, other close relatives and many friends. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Louise Schuler, brothers Roger and Duane Schuler, and numerous cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday December 7, 2021 at 11:00am at St. Gregory Catholic Church (214 Church St., Saint Nazianz). There will be a visitation for family and friends at the Church on Monday, December 6, 2021 from 3:00pm until 7:00pm and at the church on Tuesday morning from 9:30am when we will have brief family rites before the Mass at 10:45am.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Sharon Richardson Community Hospice team for their care and compassion towards the end of Dale's life. His game may be over, but the values and  lessons he taught those he coached and raised live on.