John Schulte

John Schulte, age 68, of Spencer passed away Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 11, 2012, at the Niobrara Valley Hospital in Lynch.

Visitation was held on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, from 4-8 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m. rosary at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spencer with Rev. Tim Podraza officiating. Music was provided by pianist, Mary Haun and the St. Mary's choir.

Pallbearers were Henry Schulte, Patrick Schulte, John Paul Schulte, Michael Schulte, Ed Timmerman and Joe Timmerman.
Interment was in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Spencer.

Bilgin's Mortuary in O'Neill was in charge of arrangements.

John Michael Schulte was born on Jan. 13, 1944, in Spencer, to Joseph B. and Catherine M. (Engelhaupt) Schulte on the family farm north of Spencer, near the former town of Baker. He attended rural country school and graduated from high school in Fairfax, SD, in 1962.

As a young man he farmed with his parents and served in the Army National Guard from 1965 to 1971. He continued to farm with his parents and bought his own place a mile down the road in 1966. He did custom harvesting for many people over a wide area and one customer was Hubert Ramold, the uncle of his future wife.

John met Mary Ann Timmerman and they were wed on Feb. 8, 1975, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill. They were blessed with nine children: Henry, Laura, Sarah, Johanna, Patrick, John Paul, Katherine, Marion and Michael.

He loved having his children with him as he worked on the farm, passing on his hard work ethic and love for the land. In addition to farming, John and Mary raised cattle, pigs and sheep and milked cows for 20 plus years.

John was especially delighted with the arrival of each of his eleven grandchildren and adored them all.

He spent his entire life working within a few miles of where he was born and fought tirelessly for the good of Boyd County. John also belonged to AA for 32 years. He was a lifelong Catholic and his faith was a comfort to him. He will be greatly missed by those who truly knew and loved him.

John is survived by his wife, Mary; nine children: Henry Schulte and wife, Kelli of Dallas, SD; Laura Reiman and husband, Duane of Butte; Sarah Baumann and husband, Jeff of Norfolk;  Johanna Boyle and husband, Steve of O'Neill; Patrick Schulte and wife, Erin of Burke, SD; John Paul Schulte of Spencer; Katie Olson and husband, James of Atkinson; Marion Schaaf and husband, Troy of Stuart; and Michael Schulte and his finance, Kylie of Brandt, SD; and 11 grandchildren. He is also survived by four sisters, Anna Marie Moser of Casper, WY; Louise Johnson and husband, Ronnie of Dubuque, Iowa; Lucy Hammerlun and husband, Nick and Margaret Reiser and husband, Steve all of O'Neill; and four brothers, Joe Schulte and wife, Juanita of Butte; Herman Schulte and Judy of Orchard, CO; Leo Schulte and wife, Sherry of Butte and Jerome Schulte and wife, Roberta of Houma, LA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Catherine Schulte; one brother, George Schulte; mother and father-in-law, Ray and Ann Timmerman; four nephews and two nieces.

Memorials may be made to the Niobrara Valley Hospital.