Bob Schultz

Bob Schultz, age 78, Claire City, passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at the Tekakwitha Living Center in Sisseton.

Funeral services will be Saturday, June 15, at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Claire City with Rev. Karie Geyer and Vicar Pat Schubert officiating.  Music will be provided by pianist Crystal Kemnitz and vocalists Jerry Nelson and Kelly Bartnick.

Burial will be at a later date in the Claire City Cemetery.  Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Leverson, Dean Lehrke, Gary Houghton, Rick Chilson, Mike Chilson, and Allen Eggers.  Active pallbearers will be his grandsons, Daren Schultz, Deven Schultz, Joel Emery, Josh Jelinek, Braeden Neiber, and Shae Jelinek.

Visitation will be Saturday from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the church.

Harold Robert Schultz, Jr. (Bob) was born May 11, 1946, to Harold, Sr. and Ardella (Chilson) Schultz in Sisseton, SD.  He was baptized on November 16, 1947, and confirmed at Brandvold Lutheran Church in Victor, SD.  Bob attended Lien #1 Grade School for eight years and graduated from New Effington High School in 1964. After graduation from high school, Bob moved to Minneapolis, MN, and was employed at Custom Tool for one year.

Bob married Cheryl Loessin on June 26, 1965, at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Claire City.  The newlyweds moved home to Claire City in 1965 and have resided there since. Bob worked for the Claire City Co-op for ten years, managing it for five years.  In June of 1966 their son Todd was born and in January of 1970 their daughter Bobbi Jo arrived.  In November of 1976, Bob and Cheryl bought the Mobil Service Station and bulk business.  Bob also owned a custom crop spraying service.  His other employment endeavors were working for Terry's Auto Sales, Rosholt Elevator, and loved helping Al and Brad Eggers harvest in the fall.  He retired in 2005 after he received his Parkinson's diagnosis.

Bob was very involved in the community.  He served on the Claire City town board and was mayor from 1990 to 2015.  He also volunteered as a fireman for the Claire City Fire Department for many years.  He served on the church council as president, vice-president, deacon, Sunday school substitute, and sang in the church choir and many church cantatas. Bob served as Chairman for the Claire City 75th Diamond Jubilee in 1988 and helped start the Farmer's Inn Cafe by serving on that board also.  He was awarded New Effington High School's Alumni of the Year in 1991.

Bob was very proud of his family and enjoyed getting together with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids for holidays and birthdays. He also looked forward to the family reunion every year that took place at his home with food, family, karaoke and campfires. Driving his Gator, mowing lawn, hunting, fishing, cooking, feeding birds, gardening, tinkering on vehicles and selling them were some of his hobbies.  His greatest enjoyment was music, singing with Allen Schram and Dean Stickland, a group they called the Three S's where they sang at many events with the State Line Band.

Bob is survived by his wife of almost 59 years, Cheryl of Claire City; his two children, Todd (Marin) Schultz of Wahpeton, ND, and Bobbi Jo (Jeff) Jelinek of Wahpeton; six grandchildren, Daren (Sarah) Schultz of Minot, ND, Deven (Brianna) Schultz of Fargo, ND, Tara (Joel) Emery of West Fargo, ND, Josh (Kelsey) Jelinek of Lowell, AR, Braeden Neiber of Fargo, and Shae Jelinek of Wahpeton; thirteen great-grandchildren, Aya, Rev, and Mav Schultz; Colie, Tucker, Hudson, and Halle Schultz; Bentley, Grey and Walker Emery; Ellie, JoJo, and Holland Jelinek.  He is also survived by his sisters, Gail (Joe) Gettel of Lidgerwood, ND, Lynn (Mike) Patterson of Graceville, MN, Deb (Tim) Healy of Three Rivers, TX, and Jackie (Mark) Taffe of Graceville, MN; one sister-in-law, Marcile Ellingson of Breckenridge, MN; one brother in-law, Roger Ceroll of New Effington, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Joe and Effie Chilson; parents, Harold Sr. and Ardella Bladow; parents-in-law, Kenneth and Dorothy Loessin; sister Sharon Ceroll; brother, Delas Schultz; daughter-in-law, Tammy Schultz; brothers-in-law, Bob Patterson and Leonard Ellingson; and sister-in-law, Sheila Schultz.