Scott Schramm

Memorials may be made to Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN - MSA Clinic Research and Development or to AccentCare/Fairview Hospice, Princeton, MN

A Celebration of Scott’s Life will be at 11:00AM on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Central Lutheran Church, 1103 School St NW, Elk River, with visitation starting at 10:00AM.

The immediate family will honor Scott’s joyful spirit with attire other than black.  Scott was a protector. In this vulnerable time, we request precautions around his family.

Scott Schramm, age 66 of Elk River, Minnesota, passed from this earth on Wednesday, August 3, 2022.  Scott’s spirit left the arms of his bride in their home-hospice care. Scott had experienced a gradual, but steady decline over the past years, due to Multiple System Atrophy – Parkinsonism, a very rare neurological/central nervous system disease diagnosed in 2019.

Scott is survived by his loving wife of 10 years, Joni; children, Amy (Jayten) Ames, Jason Reinhart and Alyssa Pearson; his mother, Phyllis Schramm; siblings, Cindy Nelmes and Bev (Ruben) Lopez; niece, Ashleigh (Ken) Cyzen and grand-niece, Layla; nephew, Alex Lopez; daughter-Amy’s mother, Cindy Schramm; Joni’s siblings, Laverne (Anna) Tigges, Marvin Tigges, Joyce Irlbeck, Duane Tigges and Randy (Cathy) Tigges and their children; and numerous loving friends, some who have been close to his heart between forty and fifty years.

He is preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Schramm; infant son, Wade; brother-in-love, Jerry Bodnar; brothers-in-law, George Nelmes and Larry Irlbeck; nephew, Mike Tigges.

Scott is known and remembered from many places over his years, to include the Class of 1974, Harding Senior High School (St. Paul, MN); Pillsbury R&D Purchasing Agent, Minneapolis, MN and over 26 years as a helicopter pilot from 1990-2016.

During Scott’s childhood, he had dreams where he was flying in the sky and looking down to watch over his friends. He carried out that inner passion when he completed studies that allowed him to take the great adventure of becoming a helicopter pilot by 1990. His early career years include Helicopter Flight, Crystal, MN from 1990-2002 where he experienced many adventures in various capacities. Scott began as a Line Pilot in which he provided pilot services for WCCO Traffic Watch, Electronic News Gathering for local affiliates of ABC, CBS, NBC, UPN and Fox, Interstate utility surveys, DNR wildlife inventory, transporting of helicopters from the manufacturer to destinations throughout the US, Flight Instruction and various photo/video projects. By far, his most talked about adventure with HFI was when he was a Tour Pilot in Alaska (Temsco Helicopters in Juneau, AK) in the remote glacial areas during their 1992 tour season. Scott held many hats and titles during his years with HFI from Line Pilot to Chief Pilot, Chief Flight Instructor, Director of Operations and Vice President.

Scott spent a brief time with Scott’s Helicopter Services, Le Sueur, MN in 2002 to provide pilot services and office administration. It was soon after this tenure that his heart’s dream of becoming an EMS air ambulance pilot would come true.

It was through Omniflight Helicopters that Scott first became an EMS Air Ambulance Pilot with Mayo One Medical Transport, Eau Claire, WI in 2003. He had successfully experienced all the avenues and facets of being a helicopter pilot and was now in his dream job. Transporting and helping hurting patients and protecting his crew that he cared for so very deeply, was a ministry as well as an occupation. Scott’s character and bright shining spirit will be remembered by many.  

In 2005, Scott accepted his calling to North Memorial EMS Air Care 4, Princeton, MN. He believed that he had received his ultimate gift from God and was ever so grateful for the ability to serve North and his crew. Many flights, many hours, many patients, many coworkers and many friends were gained through the fall of 2016. Wherever Scott worked, he gave of himself above and beyond to keep on task and keep his patients, crew and his life safe. Again, he touched so many over these precious years of doing exactly what he loved and had always dreamed of. Captain Schramm was a man with the warmest heart and greatest sense of humor - what a guy - will always be remembered.

Scott has always had a love for music and was a skilled musician, playing bass and 12-string guitars. In 1980, Scott and his friend, Lauren (another lifelong friend) set out to form a Christian band. In a short time later, they met a new friend for life, Scot, who joined them in their endeavors. Together, with the addition of Rob the drummer, they formed their band called Final Wave and performed in numerous venues and cities through 1987.  

During their years of working together at Pillsbury, Scott and Lauren gathered a group of musicians called The Pillsburados to perform for company events and entertainment. This group included another employee, Matt, who has also become a family friend to this day. In 2017, Scott and these three beloved brothers (Lauren, Scot and Matt) brought in friend (Loren) and together they became the traveling classic rock and roll band Flying Train Wreck. Sadly, Scott needed to retire from the band in 2019, due to the progression of his MSA. These guys and spouses have remained loving friends and continue to share the passion for music, as Scott did all of his life.

Scott’s ultimate legacy, we believe, is his ministry as Friend, Encourager and Student of the Word of God.  Another lifelong brother in Christ, Lyle (Scott’s most avid motocross racing buddy from his teen years) may best account for this. Since meeting Joni in 2010 and marrying in 2012, Scott was involved in many ministries through Central Lutheran Church and with present home church, the Why Church, Elk River. His servant heart was completely wrapped up in the music ministry in both of these churches. Again, very sadly, Scott needed to step back from playing bass at church in early 2020 due to health decline, but remained a minister, encourager and student of the Gospel from his hospice bed through the very end of his life.

We give special acknowledgment and gratitude to our Why Church Family, Why Group community, workplace and our family and friends who have supported, encouraged, and carried us on this very difficult journey over the past three years. Namely, the outpouring of support to get us through the changes that led to the full hospice and respite care that we needed. Your love, care and generosity has been a true gift in our lives and you will always be in our hearts.

We express our sincere gratitude to Accent/Fairview Homecare for PT/OT/RN care over the summer/fall of 2021 and the dear Hospice team that was a chosen group to see Scott through these last 9 months. Sandra, Heidi, Stephanie, Dale – We are so very thankful for you all. A stellar team for a stellar man of God. Your spirit and loving care will always be remembered.

Scott will be most remembered as a faithful servant and a devoted, loyal, inspirational, guiding, loving husband, father, son, brother and a friend to all. We will miss his beaming smile, his belly laughs, his sense of humor, and his appetite for everything that is good in life. Scott was, and always will be, the joy and love of his bride’s life. His spirit will live on in our family, as it fills the hole left in each of our hearts. May his faith, forgiveness, peace and contentment witnessed throughout the turmoil of life’s journey become an effort for all of us to “Live Like Scott”.  

Fly away and high, beloved, with the best view ever to watch over your family and friends.

Well done, good and faithful servant. 

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