Obituary of Caroline Schutz

SCHUTZ - Caroline Schutz, resident of the Langenburg Special Care Home, passed away on Monday, February 28, 2011. She was 89 years of age. Caroline (Lena as she was always known to everyone) was born July 3, 1921 in the Shellmouth district of Manitoba, the youngest of nine brothers and sisters born to Philip and Caroline (Schappert) Kendell, German-speaking farm immigrants to Canada in 1903 from Russian occupied territories in eastern Europe. She was baptized August 28, 1921 in the Lutheran faith by Pastor Paul Wiegner and confirmed April 5, 1936 by Pastor A H Fuhr at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hoffenthal, Sask. She took her schooling at Shellmouth and Inglis, Manitoba. Lena was united in marriage to William (Bill) Schutz of Churchbridge, Sask in the Hoffenthal Church on May 8, 1943 by Pastor Fuhr. Bill was a school teacher at the time, however they began their life on a farm twelve miles north of Churchbridge. Lena's mother, Caroline Kendell came to live with them on the farm and resided there until her death in 1962. Farming became their primary livelihood when Bill retired from teaching in 1949, as well as raising two boys, Dennis born in 1945 and Dale in 1951. Farming was difficult in those days with plenty of hard work, as Lena did her share and more, of all the daily tasks on a mixed grain and livestock farm. She suffered a setback early in their career when falling from a ladder while helping to shingle a roof, fracturing her ankle, causing her pain and discomfort for the rest of her life. Lena's faith in God and involvement with her church and her love of music were constant throughout her life. As a member of Peace Lutheran Church, Rothbury, she was also active in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, serving in several elected positions over the years including President. When the Peace Lutheran Church congregation disbanded in 1963, Lena and Bill became members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Churchbridge, until they retired from the farm in 2002 and moved to Yorkton, where they joined Zion Lutheran Church. Their retirement gave them time to travel to various destinations throughout Canada, United States and Mexico, exploring the sights and visiting with family members and friends along the way. Lena's failing health in the fall of 2008, required a move from their retirement home in Yorkton to the Centennial Special Care Home in Langenburg, where she had since resided.. Lena was predeceased by her parents, her sisters Mary Mench and Katie Mack and her brothers, John, Jake, Philip, George, Ed and Bill Kendell. She leaves to mourn her passing and to celebrate her life: her husband, Bill of Langenburg, her son Dennis and daughter-in law Brenda of Churchbridge, and her son Dale of Edmonton, Alberta. She also leaves her two adoring grand daughters: Lisa (Dwayne) Fenske, along with her only precious great-grand daughter Kaitlyn of Martensvile, Sask, and Sandy (Wayne) Bashnick of Hudson Bay, Sask. She also leaves one sister-in- law, Kay Kendell of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families, along with many dear friends. The funeral service was held on Friday, March 4, 2011 from Zion Lutheran Church in Yorkton. Pastor Daniel Moeller officiated. Organist, Verna Liebrecht led the congregation in the singing of the hymns 'Amazing Grace', 'Beautiful Savior', and 'I'm But A Stranger Here'. The interment took place in the Garden of St. John at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Wayne Bashnick, Dwayne Fenske, Kevin Matthews, Lyle Schutz, Ken Schutz and Wayne Rathgeber serving as the casketbearers. Memorials in Lena's memory may be made to the Concordia Lutheran Seminary , 7040 Ada Boulevard, Edmonton, AB T5B 4E3. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Friday, March 4th, 2011 2:00pm, Zion Lutheran Church Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens