Merle Schultz 1922-2003

SCHULTZ, OLSON, HUFFEY, VITRANO, FIELDS, BROWN, LOCKHART, MCEVILLY, BULMAN

Posted By: SGF (email)
Date: 4/16/2003 at 03:27:51

Merle A. Schultz, 80, of Caledonia, passed away Tuesday, January 21, 2003, at The Lutheran Home, Caledonia, MN. She was born December 4, 1922, in Waterville, IA, to Walter and Tilda (Olson) Huffey. On April 8, 1941, Merle married Jyles Schultz in Preston, MN. They lived in Rock Island, IL, from 1941 until 1949. After living in Granger, MN, for a year and a half, Merle and Jyles moved to Winnebago township, rural Caledonia in 1950. On August 19, 1985, Jyles preceded Merle in death. Merle served as Court Administrator in Houston County for 23 years and was named officer of the year in Minnesota for 1982. She was a past board member of the National Center for Rural Justice, based in Washington, D.C. and was a state officer in the Minnesota Association for Court Administration for 12 years, serving as president of that body for four years. Merle taught many aspects of court administration in the State of Minnesota and taught at the National Judicial College in Reno, NV. She was a writer for the first Clerk of Courts Manual in Minnesota and a writer and resource person of the book “Rural Justice”. Merle also wrote the history of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Caledonia for its 100th Anniversary. She was a recipient of the WCCO Good Neighbor Award in Minnesota and was honored by the National Passport Office for meritorious service, and by the County Commissioners Association for her record management program which was instituted in the state. Merle was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Caledonia where she taught Sunday School for many years, served on the church council and was a member of the Rachel Circle. She also was a past member of the Caledonia Study Club and served as president in the year 2000. For many years Merle provided a safe care home for children in need. She also managed and operated her farm in Winnebago township for over 50 years. Survivors include her 5 children, Sandra Vitrano of Wauwatosa, WI, David (Loni) Schultz, Howard Schultz, and Gregory (Elizabeth) Schultz, all of Caledonia, and Diane (Michael) Fields of Red Wing; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; five sisters, Shirley (LuVerne) Brown of Waterloo, IA, Greta Lockhart of Brownsville, Leatrice McEvilly of Caledonia, Esther (Bill) Enyart of Lancaster, TX, and Lotus (Barton) Bulman of Caledonia; 3 brothers, Vinton (Lillian) Huffey of Monrovia, CA, Vernon (Marion) Huffey of Storm Lake, IA, and George (Jean) Huffey of Waterville, IA; and a sister-in-law, Myrtle Huffey of DesMoines, IA. In addition to her husband, Merle was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved granddaughter, Lorelei Schultz; a brother, Lloyd Huffey and a brother-in-law, Jerry McEvilly. Services will be Saturday, January 25, at 11 a.m. from Immanuel Lutheran Church, Caledonia. Rev Rolf T. Storlie will officiate. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, Caledonia, is in charge of arrangements.

Copyright 2003 Caledonia Argus
source: Caledonia Argus, Caledonia, MN, 1/23/2003