Gerard Schuchard, age 21, of New Rockford, ND, died Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at his home, surrounded by his family and friends, under the care of Presentation Hospice after a courageous battle with cancer.

Gerard Joseph Schuchard, Jr., was born during the Super Bowl on January 27, 1991, in Bottineau, ND, the son of Joe and Kathy (Tedrow) Schuchard. At the time he was born the family lived in Willow City, ND until Gerard was two. The family then moved to New Rockford, ND, where he attended school and graduated from New Rockford-Sheyenne School in May of 2009.

Throughout high school Gerard was active in Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and was a member of Northern Lights Advisory Board. During his junior and senior years he was a member of the Catholic Youth Advisory Council and was active in the St. John’s Catholic Church of New Rockford. Gerard was involved in track, basketball, yearbook, guest photographer for the newspaper, one act, choir, and was an honor student. While in high school Gerard worked at Hagen’s Super Valu and was a valued employee.

Gerard was a lifetime member of the Willow City Roughriders and the North Central Horse Association. He took part in many horse shows throughout the years. His favorite event was Monkey on a Barrel. He looked forward to the annual Willow City Horse Show every June.

In July 2009, Gerard began working as a ranch hand for the Oak Ridge Ranch outside of Souris, ND. He worked there until the fall of 2010 when he was diagnosed with cancer. Gerard attended Dakota College at Bottineau, majoring in Landscape Design, beginning in September of 2009 until his health issues caused him to take an early leave in November 2010. While at Bottineau he was elected President of the Student Senate for the 2010-2011 school year. He was also elected President of the Student Senate for the following 2011-2012 term but was unable to serve. Gerard was well known on the campus and will be missed by many.

Gerard was recognized for his smile and kind heart. If you met Gerard once, you were his friend for life. He loved to spend time outdoors, hunting, fishing, riding horse, or participating in any outdoor activity. In the fall he would look forward to cutting down trees and bringing in the wood supply for his family’s wood stove. Winter was a wonderland for Gerard as he loved to snowmobile. If you were looking for Gerard you first needed to look outside.

He is survived by his parents, Joe and Kathy, New Rockford; sisters, Annette (Beau Thompson), Dickinson, ND, and Stephanie, New Rockford; his brother, Austin, New Rockford; one niece, Piper Thompson, Dickinson; his grandmother, Ida Tedrow, New Rockford; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Gerard was preceded in death by his grandparents William Tedrow, Bernice and Vincent Schuchard; one uncle, Dennis Tedrow; three cousins, Todd Schuchard, Alyssa Schuchard and Schad Michael Prellwitz.

FUNERAL SERVICE: New Rockford-Sheyenne School Gymnasium, New Rockford, ND

DATE AND TIME: Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 10:30AM

BURIAL: Notre Dame Catholic Cemetery, Willow City, ND, Saturday at 3:30PM