Condolence: 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.

Condolence: Eulogy for Blaine Harris Schultz- given by Kate Myers, granddaughter.

Thank you for being here today to celebrate the life of Blaine Schultz. I’m pleased to say a few words in representation of the younger generation. Blaine had 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. What a blessing it has been to all of us the have him in our lives for so many years. Grandparents have a different relationship with their grandchildren than they do with their children. And not many grandkids get to really know their grandparents in both youth and adulthood. We learned some wonderful lessons from Grandpa and I’m happy to share a few of them with you today.
Grandpa was a quiet man, but very observant. When he would finally chime in he spoke with conviction and the wisdom of his faith and experience. You might not have known that Grandpa was an electrical engineer with several patents to his name. Or that he and Uncle Geoff build an early computer at home. Grandpa and Grandma embraced the computer revolution and communicated with us often via email and Facebook. They don’t post much on Facebook but they do let us know they see what we are posting and are loving and supporting us. They also serve as de facto filters before I make any comments – “Do I really want to say this in front of my grandparents?” In this age where the time between though and broadcast via email, social media or text is growing ever shorter, Grandpa taught us to be a good listener, speak with conviction and to speak wisely.
By engaging his grandchildren where we are, in both the real and electronic world, Grandpa showed us how to go to the people you love. Through many difficult times, he was there for each of us with a kind word and encouragement. And you know what? When a hard working farm kid who lived through the Depression Era and survived World War II tells you it will all work out, you can’t help but feel, “This man really knows it will all work out.”
Sometimes the encouragement would come in the form of a joke he first heard at the Old Goats Club (that’s Gentlemen of Assorted Talents and Skills). He loved a good punchline and kept his sense of humor to the end. Grandpa Blaine was also a part of several other clubs and groups – the Lions Club of So. Milwaukee, his church here at St. John’s and several different civic committees for the community of So. Milwaukee. Even in his older years, we heard about the long hours he put in running the electrical for and serving at Lionsfest and working at the Bradley Center with other folks from St. John’s to fundraise. When he saw that an opportunity to make an impact with a portable vision screening device was going to take too long through regular Lions Club channels, he too personal action. He and Grandma donated the machine to the county themselves in collaboration with the Lions. (Grandpa was not always known for being patient when he had a goal in mind.) He was a man confident in his knowledge and skills and ready to do for the benefit of others.
We take that stick-to-it-iveness with us in the many ways that each of us volunteer. Through our professions, philanthropy or church, with kids or on a civic level. We are each in our own way following his example.

It should also be noted that Grandpa could not have given so generously in any of these realms without the devoted support of my grandma, Muriel Schultz. They met and married at 22 and weathered all of life’s storms and setbacks together for 72 years. Their commitment to one another and the importance of family can not be understated. It was a bond that stands as an example of true love for each of us to aspire to.
Grandpa also knew another love deeply and that was a personal relationship with Christ. He knew that his salvation came by the grace of Jesus’ death and resurrection alone. He was happiest using his considerable knowledge and skills to further God’s kingdom on Earth. I see him as a great example of what a humble servant should be.

Blaine Schultz has left a legacy to all of us:
- Listen, speak with conviction and speak wisely
- Reach out to people in the place where they are
- Love your spouse and your family with deep devotion
- Serve God selflessly through all your talents as long as you are able
I know that Grandpa’s legacy will last through many, many more generations – those here now and yet to come.