Norman J. Schultz

Norman J. Schultz, a longtime rural Stewartville, MN resident, died on Thursday (May 7, 2020) of natural causes at the Chosen Valley Care Center, where he had been a resident since April of 2019.

Norman John Schultz was born on September 14, 1943, in Preston, MN to Otto and Leone (Soland) Schultz. He grew up on the family farm in rural Canton and attended Canton H.S., graduating in 1963. He worked on the family farm before entering the US Navy, serving from 1965 to 1969 including duty as a mechanic in the “Brown Water Navy” on the Mekong River in Vietnam. Norman was married on October 26, 1968 in Stewartville to Diane L. Matzke. Following his discharge, he returned to S.E. MN where he and Diane lived in Pleasant Grove, MN township where they raised their family. Norman was employed at House Chevrolet until suffering serious injuries in an auto accident. Following his recovery, he attended Rochester Vocational-Technical School receiving his certification as a Building and Utility Maintenance engineer in 1974. In 1975, Norman was employed at Rochester Public Utilities for 20 years until his retirement. Diane was a homemaker and was employed at Mayo Clinic in Rochester as a CVLM lab technician for 37 years until her retirement. They bought the Matzke Family farmstead in 1989 and built their current house in 1999, where they have continued to make their home. Norman was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stewartville. He was a member of the Stewartville American Legion, VFW, and the Preston Servicemen’s club. Norman enjoyed working on John Deere tractors, caring for the cows on the farm, volunteering at the American Legion/VFW Posts and visiting with friends over a mocha coffee. He enjoyed visiting and reminiscing with everyone and loved time spent with family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Norman is survived by his wife- Diane; 2 daughters and 1 son – Shawn (Erik) Krogstad and Melissa (James) Smidt both of Rochester and Trevor (Jessica) Schultz of Lake City, MN; 9 grandchildren – Brandon Schultz (Lexi Faro), Sydney Krogstad, Devin Krogstad, LeeAnne Smidt, Andrew Smidt, Teven Smidt-Thomas, Morgan Smidt, Catherine Schultz and Evan Schultz; 6 great–grandchildren – Anikan, Aurora, Ariel, Adelynn, Ava and Jackson; 6 sisters – Sonja Erickson and Carol (Franklin) Hahn both of Houston, MN; Lois Matzke of Stewartville; Nina (Kenton) Yunker of Lewiston, Mont; Alice Knox of Kasson and Gloria (Timothy) Liebenow of Elgin, MN and 1 brother – Gary (Patricia) Schultz of Canton, MN and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers – infant brother -Ronnie Schultz and Curtis Schultz and 3 brothers-in-law – Richard Erickson, Stephen Knox and Orville Matzke.
 

Due to public health concerns, no service or visitation for Norman will be held at this time. A memorial service at St. John’s Lutheran Church and visitation for family and friends will take place later this summer with burial and military graveside honors at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN. The date and time will be announced prior to those services. The Schultz Family asks that no flowers be sent at this time. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Norman are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Norman J. Schultz, please visit our floral store.