Elizabeth J. "Jo" Schulte
September 18, 2020

Elizabeth Joan Schulte, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2020 at the Legacy in Delano, MN. She lived with the consequences of a severe stroke for 3 years and in the last year, she endured bone cancer. Although her body was quite compromised, she maintained her humor and wit. She seldom complained and always expressed gratitude.

“Jo” was born in Staplehurst, NE on March 7, 1935, she was 85 at the time of her death. She was born to William and Kathryn Ward. Jo was the second child of five; her sisters are Mary Jane Gregory, Kathleen Quinn Dea, Patricia Tews and the youngest was her brother William “Bill” Ward. She grew up in Ulysses, NE. and then attended business school in Lincoln, NE where she met Leo “Whitey” Schulte.

Jo and Whitey were married on November 12, 1955 and started their new life together in Minneapolis, MN. They had six children; Michael, Theresa, Steven, Gregory, Timothy, and Jeffrey. Jo was very involved in Sacred Heart parish in Robbinsdale, MN and she was a den mother, Girl Scout leader, and on fund raising committees for the school. She liked to ride bikes with the kids and she drove her children to activities and cheered for the many sports teams everyone participated in. She enjoyed the variety of things her children were involved in.

The family moved to Cokato, MN in January of 1973 where they owned a small business, Whitey’s Texaco, Service Station. Jo then went to work at Nationwide Carriers, in Maple Plain and later at Jedan Logistics in Rockford. As much as she liked the work, it was the friendships of her coworkers that was most important to her.

In 1984, Jo and Whitey moved to Delano, MN where they met many new friends and loved being in the bowling leagues and served in leadership roles for the Wright County Bowling Association. She loved to travel to compete in bowling tournaments, especially if the tournament was in Reno or Las Vegas. Jo loved to visit casinos with friends, and go to concerts. Bob Seeger, Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley were some of her favorites. She was an avid Twins and Vikings fan, loved to meet her friends at the Legion for Wednesday margarita night, and spent a lot of time at the Delano Senior Center participating in the activities and day trips. Jo enjoyed road trips and crossed the country with Whitey driving her wherever she wanted to go. Laughter was one of her greatest gifts, she had a wonderful hearty laugh and loved it when she could make others laugh, she was so very quick witted.

In Jo’s own words, “now that I am gone, only shed a couple of tears for me, then remember all the good times we shared. My photo albums are full of beautiful places we have been.
I can only think of all the beauty in this world, how much more is waiting for us in the next.
See you there, I love you all.”

Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Leo (Whitey), her parents, her sister Mary Jane, and brother Bill.

Jo is survived by her children; Michael (Jody) Hudson WI, Theresa (Lora) Longmont CO, Steven Plymouth MN, Gregory Arvada CO, Timothy (Lynda) Sartell MN Jeffrey, Moundsview MN.
Nine grandchildren; Heather, Josh, Greg, Travis, Lisa, Kayla, Collin, Alec, Kyle. Eight great grand children; Katie, Evan, Kyle, Charlie, Carson, Kaylynn, Chase and Hailey Jo. Her sisters; Kathleen Quinn Dea, Denver CO, Patricia Tews, Fremont NE. Sisters in law; Alberta Linder, Cumberland WI and Sr. Geraldine Schulte Ladysmith WI. Nineteen nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Catholic Mass of Christian Burial was held at 2 PM on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, St. Peter Campus in Delano. A reception followed the Mass at the Delano American Legion. Inurnment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis took place on Friday at 9:30 AM: meeting at Assembly Area #6.