Patricia Schultz

Patricia (Pat) Ann (Conaway) Schultz was born April 6, 1930, in Eagle Grove, IA to Martha Baker and Orland Conway. She was the youngest of four siblings. She spent most of her youth in Eagle Grove, though she did talk fondly of a short stint living in Waterloo and several months living with cousins in Washington State.

Pat was united in marriage to Gerald (Jerry) Schultz on August 22, 1959. Eagle Grove was where they raised their five children, Bobbie Vinton (Scott), of Grand Haven, Michigan; Ronda Barger (Gary) of Savage, Minnesota; Becky Schultz (Ted), of Farmington, Minnesota; Doug Schultz; and Dennis Schultz (Missy), of Goldfield, Iowa. Pat and Jerry shared a love of bowling and baseball, traveling often in their early years to the Petersen Classic in Chicago and staying to watch their beloved Cubs play at Wrigley Field. They belonged to the Samuel Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove. Even when Pat was no longer able to attend Sunday service, she played her gospel CDs at full blast every Sunday.

Pat was a practical gal, and she chose practical jobs. She worked at an ice cream parlor because she liked drinking the malt flavors, they used to make the ice cream. She lied about her age once so she could work at a movie theater that was playing a banned film. She didn’t find the film that scandalous, but she did watch it several times while working just to be sure. She drove taxi in Eagle Grove for a while as well, and I think that was mostly for the gossip because boy, she knew everything. If you knew Pat, you knew when she asked you to “get the Bible”, (which was the book containing the senior pictures of every graduating class EVER from Eagle Grove High School), she was gonna spill the tea about somebody.

Visiting was one of Pat’s favorite pastimes. She loved sitting around a table, sharing a pot of coffee, and telling stories with people. Her coffee circle dwindled as the years went on, but even at 93 she had a very beloved group of coffee regulars whose visits she cherished. When she decided to switch from coffee to chicory root that was a bridge too far for some, but they just showed up with their own coffee.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Schultz; granddaughter, Megan Schultz; son Doug Schultz; son-in-law, Scott Vinton; and her siblings, Orland Conaway Jr.; Virginia Nelson; and Jean Willard. Left to cherish her memory are her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandson, her schoolmate and dear friend Midge, an entire city block of overfed squirrels, the nurses at the doctor’s office who patiently doted on her, her favorite clerks at Fareway, Bug and Paulette Russell, Sandy ( who made sure Pat got to vote Democrat one last time), and her hairdresser Linda. We know Jerry and the coffee club in heaven are delighted to see her, but we will truly miss her here.

Visitation was held on Sunday, January 14, 2024 from 1-3 p.m. at Foust Funeral Home, Eagle Grove.