ROBERT “BOBBY” SCHULTE

Robert “Bobby” Schulte

May 31, 1935-June 3, 2023

Robert “Bobby” Schulte, age 88, of Fairfax, MN formerly of Gibbon, MN and New Ulm, MN passed away Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the New Ulm Medical Center with his family by his side.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 8, 2023 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon with Pastor Steven Bauer officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in New Ulm where full military honors will be provided by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – NORTH chapel in New Ulm and will continue from 10-11 a..m on Thursday, June 8, 2023 at the church in Gibbon, prior to the service.

Robert Duane Schulte was born May 31, 1935 on his grandparent’s farm in Cairo Township, Renville County to Herman and Florence (Weinkauf) Schulte. He was baptized on June 29, 1935 by Pastor Im. F. Albrecht at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairfax and confirmed on April 10, 1949 by Reverend Stolke at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord.

Robert grew up in Gaylord and attended Gaylord High School, graduating in 1953. Robert worked with his dad doing custom corn shelling, earning the nickname Corncob. He was drafted and entered the Army on April 22, 1958. After basic training, Robert was united in marriage to Elaine Bethke on July 9, 1958 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Later he was stationed in Korea for 13 months. Robert and Elaine were blessed with two daughters and raised them in New Ulm. He worked 39 years for MN Steel Drum, working with and hauling barrels to Kraft, where he earned the nickname Speedy.

After losing Elaine to breast cancer in 1996, he married Georgia Podratz Thran. They were married July 17, 1999 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon, where they resided until March 14, 2020 when they moved to County View Estates in Fairfax. Robert and Georgia worked for Hands in Winthrop, giving them opportunities to do some traveling. Robert enjoyed hunting and fishing with his dad, brothers, and little fishing buddy, Douglas Sondag. He also enjoyed going trap shooting. He liked working in his flower beds and was always proud of his many varieties of Irises. Robert loved playing along to polka music with his concertina, harmonicas, and duck calls. He loved to tell stories about hunting and just being funny. When you needed him, he was there for you. He had a wonderful smile, which will be missed.

Memorials preferred to Prairie Lutheran School in Gibbon or St. Paul’s Lutheran School in New Ulm.

Robert is survived by his wife, Georgia Schulte; children, Linda (John) Lang, Christine (Jonathan) Albrecht; three grandchildren, Ryan Knacke, Robert Lang, Rachel (fiancé Jordan Walker) Lang; step-children, Wayne (Nora) Thran, Arlys (Gary) Fischer, Marlene (Douglas) Benson, Wallace (Anita) Thran, William Thran; eight other grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brothers, Glen Schulte and James Schulte; sister, Karen Pioske; sister-in-law, Beverly Jenkinson; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Florence Schulte; his first wife, Elaine Schulte; his brothers, Herman and Maynard; his sisters, Marlys Reichenbach and Donna Schade.

Arrangements are with Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes. To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org

 

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