Eulogy for Blaine Schultz delivered by Judy Schultz Tobolski, daighter As I am writing on this on Thanksgiving Day, my heart pulls me in two different directions. My wonderful father, Blaine Schultz, 94, passed away this morning, surrounded by his family- my Mom, Muriel, brothers Larry and Geoff and me. My heart is breaking but I am also at peace with the knowledge that he has now entered his eternal home to be with his beloved Lord and Savior. On this Thanksgiving morning we can honestly give THANKS for many things today- • that he died peacefully, without pain, • that he died at home as he wished - the home Mom and Dad had built and moved into on Thanksgiving weekend in 1951, 65 years ago. • that his family were present, holding his hands as he passed, • that he was with us for almost 95 years to share his guidance and love with the family over three additional generations which included 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. My Dad came from a simple upbringing on the windswept plains of the Red River Valley in North Dakota. He born in 1922 in the same farm house his father had been born in in 1895. He told us he was actually delivered by a doctor in days when most women had a mid-wife at best and this doctor had been issued medical license #1 by the state. He attended a small country school in Caledonia Township that none the less laid the solid educational groundwork for a notable professional career. In 8th grade he memorized the Gettysburg Address to recite at a school program. This past Memorial Day he was in the St. Luke’s hospital having had a pacemaker installed that same morning and as we discussed the meaning of Memorial Day, he spontaneously recited the Gettysburg Address word for word- culled up from that 8th grade recitation. I captured it on video and posted it on Facebook- he had over 4400 views in the next couple weeks- something that delighted and amazed him no end. He married the love of his life, Muriel, in 1944 and they celebrated their 72nd anniversary last September. Mom has been his sole caretaker as he encountered health issues over these past 2 1/2 years and I believe it was her unending love and devotion that enabled him to be with us as long as he was. Their devotion to one another for 72 years is a shining example of what love and marriage is all about - an example not only to our immediate family, but to everyone who knew them. Dad proudly served his country during WWII as a US AAC pilot flying multiple types of planes out of North Africa. He told us many times he never regretted a single day of his time in the military -- and he instilled that sense of pride and patriotism to the next generations of our family. He was able to participate in an Honor Flight back to Washington DC in 2010 and was thrilled to be part of this effort to honor America’s veterans.. After the war, he returned to complete his degree in Electrical Engineering at North Dakota State University, went on to had a outstanding career as an electrical engineer, retiring from the same company, albeit after several company mergers, that he started with in 1947, some 37 years earlier. He was a faithful member and leader in his church- St. John Lutheran- for 59 years in a variety of roles. He served in many capacities including President of the Congregation AND Chairman of the Buiding Committee for the education wing. My brother Geoff recalls coming with Dad in the evening after work to inspect the progress so he recalls every nook and cranny. In one story Mom and Dad share related was about the need for volunteers to come to chip to mortar off the lannonstone the contractor had removed from the church that would be reused on the education building, not a task that drew in many volunteers. They were sitting on the sun, chipping away at the stones when one of the construction workers brought a wheel barrow of debris outside. He watched them for a couple minutes, then approached and asked what they possibly had done to deserve a penance like that! Lutherans don’t do penance, but if they did, this would have been for a whopper. His faith was an integral part of his being and he recited the Lord’s Prayer and Nicene Creed countless times as he spoke to God while waiting to be welcomed to his heavenly home.- impatiently, I might add. He was Mr. Punctuality and once something was on the schedule, he expected it to come off on time even if it was his own funeral. He served with dedication in the South Milwaukee Lions Club for 49 years, an organization where he treasured the friendship and the work the group accomplished. He was an involved and committed community leader within the City of South Milwaukee. He was the epitome of honesty and integrity. A true representative of the Greatest Generation. I am honored to have been his daughter and am so glad my children, Kate Myers, Amy Zuhlke, Jenny Zuhlke Dow and Jiliane Tobolski , my nephew Eric Schultz, and their children knew and loved him as they did. God speed, Dad. We all miss you.