Wade Michael Sjolie

Wade Michael Sjolie, age 63, passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2026 after a long and courageous battle with multiple myeloma cancer.

Wade was born April 26, 1963 in Fergus Falls, MN, to Howard and Lou Ann (Hanson) Sjolie. He grew up in Fergus Falls and graduated from Fergus Falls High School. Following high school, he attended Wadena Technical College for telephone training. Wade began his career with Alaska Power Telephone Company and later moved to West Fargo, ND, where he worked for US West Information Systems. In 1996, he returned to Fergus Falls and joined Park Region Telephone. His career concluded in 2013, where he served as Director of Network Systems, due to the extensive physical toll caused by cancer.

Wade had a deep love for the outdoors. His greatest passion was fishing for walleye on Star Lake, and deer hunting was a tradition he rarely missed. As his illness progressed, he was forced to give up fishing and significantly limit hunting, which was especially difficult for him.

Wade married Jodi Swanson in 2007. They made their home on Star Lake near Dent, MN, and later moved to Perham, MN, in 2013. Wade found immense joy in his grandchildren, whose love and presence gave him strength and determination throughout his battle with cancer.

Wade is survived by his wife, Jodi Sjolie; his children, Heather (Aaron) Ebbighausen, Carissa (Chuck) Ryan, and Andrew (Leah) Sjolie; stepdaughter, Jessica (Shane) LeRoux; and stepson, Todd (Brittaney) Schmidt. He was a loving Papa to Aleksander and Theodore Ebbighausen, Emery Allison, Helena, Calvin and Miles Ryan, Oliver, and Erik Sjolie; step-grandchildren, Emmett and Kieran Tougas, Charlie and Colbie LeRoux, and Hadley, Ryker, and Remi Schmidt.

He is also survived by his brothers, Kirk (Patty), Todd (Jill), and Darin (Rachelle); nephews and nieces, Jake (Kadie), Megan (Justin), Joshua (Shelley), Tiffany (Doug), Tyler (Brittany), Ben (Deanna), Zach, Mandi, Brock, Luke, Stephanie, Nicole, and Mac (Holly); uncle, Gerhard (Brenda) Hanson; father-in-law, Rodney Swanson; mother-in-law, Georgia Berger; brother-in-law, John Haremza; and sister-in-law, Jana Swanson.

Wade was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Shelly and Wayne Stenson; and sister-in-law, Jill Swanson-Link.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service in Perham on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Visitation will resume at 10:00 a.m. on Thurs. July 23 followed by the Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Perham. Interment will be at the Sjolie Cemetery in Madison, MN.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com