Vernon A. Schultz, age 90, of Apple Valley, MN, formerly of Prior Lake, MN, passed away on Friday, October 16, 2020, at his home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 21, at 12 (noon), with a visitation starting at 10:30 am, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Rick Banker and Father Tom Walker will preside. Pall bearers for Vern will be Gary Lyons, Bob Pexa, Carl Johnson, Scott Jeanson, Mathias Schneider, and Casey T. Schultz. He will be laid to rest at a private family graveside at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery, in Prior Lake.
Vern was born December 1, 1929 in St. Paul, MN and grew up by Lake Como. He and Toodie (Jeanson) Schultz were married on June 21, 1952. They eventually moved to Prior Lake where they raised their family.
Vern was truly a man for all seasons. He graduated from the University of Minnesota and was captain of their 1952 baseball team. Vern coached the three major sporting teams at Saint Agnes High School for two years, where he also taught history. Vern was inducted into the Saint Agnes Hall of Fame for leading their 1953 football team to their only undefeated season in the history of the school. After getting his master’s degree in special education, Vern changed occupations in 1956 joining the field of vocational rehabilitation. He soon was offered the position of Director of Vocational Services, at the Kenny Institute and later returned as an administrator in the state vocational services program. Vern designed a program to reduce special education school dropouts and joined the St. Paul Schools, as the Special Education Supervisor to head up this unique program. The state education department called Vern, “Mr. Transition“ because of this program’s amazing success. Many people with special needs are gainfully employed today due to the inception of this program.
Vern officiated football and basketball games for 38 years to keep active in the sports world. He was a talented musician, playing his saxophone and singing in local bands for 70 years, leading his Hi-Hat trio for the past 20 years. The Hi-Hats played at local senior dances and at senior residences in the area. The Hi-Hats also played many times on the local TV show Polka Spotlight. It was Vern’s goal to be able to play his horn at the age of 90. He met and exceeded this goal by playing with the Hi-Hats six times after his 90th birthday.
Vern was active and president of over 10 social services committees including Saint Paul Big Brother program, was chairman of the Saint Paul Mayors Advisory Committee for the handicapped and the president of the Nevis Huested foundation for the handicapped. Vern authored four books, the last one, just published, entitled “Baseball Before the Twins.” He was an active member of the Saint Michael Catholic Church, in Prior Lake.
Vern will be greatly missed by his devoted wife of 68 years, Toodie; son, D. Casey (Marsha Cox) Schultz, and his children, Kristi (A.J.Joachim) Schultz, Emily Schultz, Casey T. Schultz, and their mother Leone Schultz; daughter, Patricia Schneider and her children Mathias (Amy) Schneider and Montana Schneider; Tom’s partner Mary Woell; great grandson Cole Joachim; brother Ron (Ann) Schultz; special niece, Malynn Stranger; other relatives and friends.
Vern is preceded in death by his son, Tom Schultz; toddler sons, Michael, Timothy and Patrick Schultz; parents, Arthur and Fleurine Schultz and brother, Loren Schultz (Arlene).
Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation proudly served and cared for the Schultz family.
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Walter Jobst
My deepest condolences to you Tutie and family. I will miss his friendly spirit and will always remember the good times on Martinson Island.
Lola Glendenning
I recently found out that I had attended the same high school as he and Toodie went to. It was a pleasure to know him. I will remember him as a very talented giving man. My condolences to Toodie and his family. He will be missed.
lucille kempf
so sorry for your loss
miss our good times
loved it when he played I have a Polish girlfriend
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers
Lu
Catherine Hill
So very sorry for your loss. I always loved visiting with your family both as a child and an adult. I know he lived a wonderful life and will be truly missed by many.
Becky Strupeck
My condolences to all. Vern was such a gift to St. Michael and the PL community.
Tom Haugh
Toodie & Casey, Vern was a great guy, fun to talk with & my Dad enjoyed his friendship & stop-in visits. They had a great time visiting & sharing stories. Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family.
Patricia Langhorst Bergren
So sorry to hear of Vern’s death. My family’s condolences to Toodie and family. We always enjoyed Vern and your whole family and loved it when my dad played in the band with him. He was a true friend and a gentleman. God bless you all. Love from Patty, Judy, Randy, Cindy and Sandy “Langhorst”
Pauline Lentner
Dear Toodie and family,
Sending prayers your way for you and your family! My sincere sympathy for your loss!
Pauline (Zweber)Lentner
Rose Schoenecker ( former server at Orchard Path)
Toodie and Family. I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed having Vern come down for breakfast each morning at Orchard Path. Such a sweetheart. I enjoyed hearing the Hi-Hats play in the chapel at OP. He will be missed. I feel blessed to have met you and Vern. Cheish the memories and hold them close to your heart. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Gus Bjorklund
Toodie & Casey in particular Toodie – What a wonderful honor it was for myself & many others to work for such a great innovator & carrying guy. Vern was indeed a very special boss. We had some great social times with all the wives. Casey – Your Dad greatly enjoyed telling us about your many adventures. He was proud of your accomplishments with horses etc. Remember playing basketball with us old guys many years ago? Deepest sympathy to all of you. Gus Bjorklund
Greg & Mary Soukup
So sorry to hear of Vern’s passing. We had the honor and privilege of listening to the Hi Hats band play several times at the VFW Club in Prior Lake along with our father Joseph Soukup. It was a great joy listening to the music and Vern’s signing. Strike up the band and let the music play on in heaven!
Our deepest sympathy to all of you.
Greg & Mary Soukup
Sue Casey Thomas
Casey and family, you are all in my thoughts and prayers, so sorry for your loss.
Tom & Linda Rein
Toodie, thanks for sharing this remarkable man with so many other people. Vern was a truly gifted gentleman who shared his many talents, leadership skills, and friendship with countless others. While working with Vern in the St. Paul Schools for over 20+ years I came to realize that he was always trying to help others achieve their full potential – students, staff, and all the helping agencies working with folks with special needs. His innovative ideas and actions were all directed toward the goal of how can we help our students lead a more productive life. Vern’s talents were many – music maker, author, athlete, coach, referee, friend, a great story teller, a builder of houses, a cattleman, and so many more. This great husband, father, grandpa, and friend will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, especially Toodie and family.
Jan Hertaus
My Prayers and thoughts are with during this sad time. Vern was a great guy. He sure loved his music. May God give you strength and courage in the days ahead. Sorry for your loss.
Dean and Mary Shawbold
Both Mary and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Vern. Through the many years I worked in St. Paul Schools, I was so fortunate to have Vern as my mentor, friend, and boss. Vern was always an advocate for students with special needs and provided opportunities to help them transition into young adults. On a lighter side, we were lucky to meet up with Toodie and Vern in Puerto Vallarta during a spring break, and learned that if it would cloud up, it never rained. What a wonderful time we had touring the area. with them.
Our Sincere Sympathy and Prayers are with Toodie and Family.
Sandra Hoover (Langhorst)
I am so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
Peg and Steve Hofer
We send condolences, sympathy and prayers. Vern was just always such a kind and peaceful man. I can’t remember ever seeing him without a smile. I am grateful to have known him.
Fred Moors
Just learned of Vern passing. He was a delightful conversationalist for those of us old geezers telling tall tale over coffee at OP. So pleased to have had that connection to Vern and Toodie.