Tom Schulte
Tom Schulte, age 68, of Bird Island, MN died Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at the Olivia Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 1:15 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bird Island with Rev. Joe Steinbeisser as celebrant. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bird Island on Tuesday, February 7th from 4-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Memorials are preferred to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Mary’s School or St. Mary’s Cemetery. Arrangements are by Dirks-Blem Funeral Service, Olivia, MN.
Thomas Francis Schulte was born February 10, 1954 at Olivia, MN to Martin and Helen (Richter) Schulte. Tom grew up in Bird Island and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Bird Island. He continued his education at Alexandria Tech in the mechanic program. Tom married Shirley Scotting on August 14, 1976 at Lake Wilson, MN. In earlier years he worked for Pfizer Genetics, Dekalb and for the last 18 years for the City of Bird Island, retiring in February of 2016. Tom was very active in retirement helping at Steffel Farms and maintaining the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bird Island. He was a member of the St. Mary’s Cemetery Board, Catholic Order of Foresters and a past member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Finance Committee. Tom could be found hunting, fishing, gardening, farming and was a handyman that helped with many different projects. Tom and Shirley enjoyed traveling and recently took a bucket list trip to Alaska. Tom will be remembered for being a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and for his goofy demeanor and little chuckle.
Tom is survived by his wife, Shirley of Bird Island; his two children: Angela (Ryan) Stattman of Eagan and Jared Schulte of Bird Island; his two grandchildren: Emerson and Rowan Stattman; his two bonus grandchildren: Reid and Elyse Swyter; his four siblings: Judy (and George) Jacobs of Blaine, Georgine (and Carl) Gansen of Belle Plaine, Mark (and Ruth) Schulte of Olivia and Joe (and Karen) Schulte of Bird Island and many nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Helen; and his two brothers: Michael and Roger Schulte.
Blessed Be His Memory
