Delbert F. Schatz Sr.

The private family funeral service for Delbert “Pike” Schatz, Sr.,  88, a longtime Stewartville, MN resident will be held  at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stewartville with Rev. Lyle Fritsch officiating.  Burial with military graveside honors by the Stewartville American Legion Post 164 will follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester. Mr. Schatz died on Monday (January 4, 2021) following a lengthy illness with congestive heart failure at Mayo Clinic Rochester – St. Marys Campus.

Delbert Francis Schatz  was born on December 2, 1932 in Mower County, MN to Arthur and Della(Duhrman) Schatz.  He grew up in Stewartville, MN and attended country school and  Stewartville H.S.  He enlisted into the U.S Army in 1953, received his basic training at Fort Riley, KS and was a member of the famed “All American” 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC.  In August of 1955 he transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve and completed his Army career with an Honorable discharge in 1961. Delbert was married to Clarissa (Susie) Oswald on May 29, 1955 in Dillon County SC. The couple lived in Stewartville, where they raised their family and have made their home, just shy of 60 years.  Pike was employed at the Spring Valley Mines, Fullerton Lumber Company in Rochester and was a longtime employee at Greenway Co-op in Stewartville and Rochester.  After his retirement he was employed as a custodian at the Stewartville School District for a number of years. Susie was a homemaker and was employed at the Stewartville Bakery and as a cook at the Stewartville Care Center for many years. Mrs. Schatz died on March 18, 2015.

Delbert was baptized on January 15, 1933 and confirmed on May 18, 1947 and was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stewartville. He served as a Scoutmaster for Stewartville’s Boy Scout Troop 156 and was a Unit Commissioner for the Boy Scouts in SE Minnesota.  He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed woodworking and making toys.

He is survived by 2 sons – Richard (Cindy) of Brooklyn Park, MN and Timothy (Judy) of Stewartville; a daughter- in- law - Sandy Schatz of Racine, MN; 9 grandchildren – Anita (Jon) Milburn,  Austin (Gina) Schatz, Arica Schmoll,  Polly (Matt) Zimmerman,  Arika (Aaron) Muellner,  Nicole (Rich) Rowley,  Amy Schatz, Kristine Schatz (Eric Fields) and Michael Schatz (Kate Macey); 16 great grandchildren and great- great grandson – Ezra;  2 sisters -  Joan Hill and Ardell DeBough both of  Stewartville and sisiter-in-law - Shirley Schatz of High Forest,MN.  He was preceded in death by his wife – Susie, his son Delbert Jr., his parents, 1 brother - Marlin Schatz and sister - Eileen Krahn.

Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Pike are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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