Gilbert Harlan SCHULTE

SCHULTE, BARKEMA, HEINZ, KLINKERMAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/23/2008 at 08:52:45

ALEXANDER - Gilbert H. Schulte, 66, of Alexander, died unexpectedly Wednesday (May 21, 2008) at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24, 2008, at the First Reformed Church of Alexander, with the Rev. Phillip Arnold officiating. Interment with full military honors will be in the Alexander Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until time of services on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be directed to the donor's choice.

Gilbert Harlan Schulte, the son of George and Alice (Barkema) Schulte, was born Oct. 22, 1941, at Hampton. He attended and graduated from Alexander High School with the Class of 1959. He then continued his education at Northwestern College in Orange City from 1960-62 and then Central College from 1962-63. Gilbert was a seasoned baseball player and had received a letter for the sport from Northwestern during his time there. Gilbert entered the United States Air Force in 1963 and served for periods of time during his tenure in the Phillipines. He was honorably discharged for medical reasons after two years of service in 1965. Upon returning to civilian life, Gilbert was employed with Hensel Produce in Alexander from 1967-72 spending much of his employment harvesting eggs. For many years he drove trucks for Mitchell Transportation from 1972 through 1982 and then was employed with Lehigh Concrete in Mason City for a time. Gilbert enjoyed summer city league baseball during summer breaks from college. He took a keen interest in the happenings of his beloved community of Alexander and its health and vitality. He looked forward to conversations over a cup of coffee at the local elevator and times spent at the Alexander Library.

Gilbert enjoyed times spent in the presence of his neices and nephews and was always the one who remembered everyone's birthdays, anniversaries, and other dates that were special in people's lives, as well as keeping his finger and the pulse of the news of the area, be it someone who had passed away, or another event of importance. In more recent times he looked forward to excursions to Rosie's and Barb's Place in Alexander for a meal and a visit, as well as taking a weekly trip to Belmond for groceries and to dine out. Gilbert also took pride in being a steward of the family farm lands. He was a lifelong member of the First Reformed Church of Alexander.

Gilbert is survived by his brother, Eldon (Mary) Schulte, of Pella, and their children, Matt (Carol) Schulte, Heidi Schulte, Erica Schulte, Austin Schulte, Jenna Schulte, Braden Schulte, and Lindi Schulte, all of Pella; Stephanie (Jason) Heinz and their children, Jaylen, Jackson, Jamison, and Shelby Heinz, all of Humboldt, and Rich (Kara) Schulte and their children, Jacob, Andrew, Camden, and Brooklyn, all of Pella; Gilbert's sister, Audrey Klinkerman and her sons, Steven, Doug, and Scott Klinkerman; several cousins, and aunts and uncles, Foster (Evelyn) Barkema, of Alexander, Carl Barkema, of Belmond Health Care Center, and Calvin (Lola) Schulte, of Alexander; and numerous other extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Arrangements are with the Andrews Funeral Home in Belmond.

Mason City Globe Gazette
5/23/2008