Otto Schultz

Otto P. Schultz, 88, formerly of Woodworth, ND, and Jamestown, died from complications of a stroke at his daughter's home in Grand Junction, CO on January 29, 2012.

Otto Paul Schultz was born August 16, 1923, at the family farm home north of Woodworth, the son of Ernest and Bertha (Petzke) Schultz. He was baptized at the New Home Lutheran Church (Stutsman County) and confirmed at the Petersville Lutheran Church (Kidder County).

He received his elementary education at the one room Ova School and graduated in the top of his class from Woodworth High School in 1943. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy.

He served in the Sea Bees, earning the rank of Machinist Mate 3rd Class. Otto was one of thousands of sailors headed for Japan when they learned the atom bomb had been dropped. A roar went up as the excited sailors threw their hats into the air. He spent three months in occupied Japan and was honorably discharged in 1946.

He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 205, Woodworth, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, Jamestown. He enjoyed reading, music and dancing.

He married Carmel Gray in June 1949, in Woodworth. She died in July 1962. He worked for Woodworth Implement and later for Hector Construction, Hector, MN. In 1956, he became owner of Schultz Standard Service, Woodworth. He operated this shop for 34 years and loved every day of it.

He married Shirley Koenig of Jamestown in March 1963. In 1990 they moved to Jamestown and purchased a home. For the next nine years he worked for Haybuster. He retired from Cavendish Farms in May 2007.

In May 2011 he moved to Grand Forks, ND to be near his son. He resided at Maple View Memory Care Center. Shirley died in September 2011.

He is survived by his children: twins, Donald (Wendy) Schultz, Grand Forks, ND, Donna Schultz (Bob Ricketts), Grand Junction, CO; son, Bruce Schultz Shepherd, MT; daughter, Paula Schultz, Wahpeton, ND; stepdaughter, Diana (Gerald) Carlson, Spiritwood, ND and stepson, Orton Gray, Madison, WI; 11 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; one sister, Elda Koenig, Fargo, ND; and two brothers, Oswald (Rosie) Schultz and Leonard (Erika) Schultz, both of Jamestown.

He was preceded in death by both wives; son, Robin Dee; two sisters, Helen Goter and Gunda, in infancy, and stepgrandson, Michael Gerald Carlson, in infancy.