During the late morning of Saturday, December 31, 2016, at Brentwood Assisted Living Center, Mary Helen Schultz, age 101, peacefully entered the eternal house of her Lord. At the hour of her passing her loving daughters, Suzanne Marie (Lee) Howell of La Porte and Pamela Lee (David) Moore of Winfield, IL, comforted her.
Enjoying a remarkably long life, Mary Helen was born in La Porte on July 19, 1915 and contributed actively within the La Porte community. Mary Helen graduated from La Porte High School in 1932. Her graduation verse in the yearbook stated,"If there were only more such as she!" This was a mantle that she would carry all of her life. In 1936, Mary Helen married the sole love of her life, Herman William Schultz who preceded her in death in 1961. He was a prominent, sincerely respected and successful farmer. Together, they operated the Schultz Dairy located on Route 35, south of La Porte. Considering her duties on the Schultz farm coupled with her historic religious and civic involvements, she remained, above all, an entirely dedicated and faithful daughter, wife, mother, grand-mother and great-grandmother and was affectionately known as "Nana". Upon her departure from farming, Mary Helen was employed by Chapman & Graf for several decades where she greeted most customers by their first names.
Mary Helen was a devout Christian belonging to St. John's Lutheran Church all her life. She was a charter member of the Walther League Chorus and long time member of Circle 7 of St. John's. She volunteered at the Thrift Shop, and participated in 4-H, Farm Bureau, Business Girls and the Historical Society. During her final ten years, she was a beloved resident at Brentwood where she, quite fortunately, associated with friends from all periods of her extraordinary life. She was a pleasant, fun loving, and caring person who rarely complained. Young and old enjoyed her company. She cared for several of her aging relatives and even her caregivers at Brentwood described her as especially sweet as she found a place in their hearts.
Surviving are her daughters; 7 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and 1 great, great-grandchild. She was preceded by her parents and husband.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, January 5, 2017, at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center with Pastor Ronald Brauer officiating. Burial will follow at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery.
A time of visitation will be held from 12:00 - 1:00 pm on Thursday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to St. John's Lutheran Church, 111 Kingsbury Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350.
Condolences may be shared with the family on www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.