Ronald "Ronnie" Schulze

Ronald Dean Schulze was born to Alfred and Alice (Meyer) Schulze on June 28, 1933, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He was baptized the day after he was born on June 29, 1933, with sponsors Albert Schulze and Mrs. William Meyers. At the age of one, he moved with his parents to Fulda, MN where they owned and ran a bakery.  In 1940, they moved to a farm north of Holland, MN where his parents remained throughout their lives, farming.  He was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church, Holland, MN along with his parents. While living on the farm, he helped with the daily chores. Taking out the garbage and carrying laundry to and from the basement were a few of his chores. He spent endless hours outside shooting hoops with his basketball and raking lawn. In the winter, he would listen to football and basketball games on the radio and enjoyed listening to polka music. He was an avid Twins fan! After his mother died of cancer in 1976, Ron remained on the farm with his father until December 6, 1978, when he moved into the newly built REM Southwest Services house in Tyler, MN where he would live out the remainder of his life with his housemates. Ronnie's father was instrumental in advocating for the REM house being built in Tyler as he knew he would need a home for Ronnie to live in when he could no longer care for him.  Ronnie lived at REM in Tyler for 44 years. He worked at Hope DAC in Ruthton and then later in Tyler for a total of 54 years. His duties at his work included crushing aluminum cans, emptying garbage, sorting things, and cleaning the yard outside. He knew the importance of family and was very devoted to his mother, father, brother, and his brother's family. His dad or brother would pick him up from his house and bring him to the farm for family events and holidays. He loved getting presents, and even more if they were a new basketball or radio! He collected basketballs and radios. He had 61 basketballs in his possession at his time of death. Ronnie gathered many friends and family members while living at his home at REM. He enjoyed his time with each one of them and the time staff members and their families spent with him.  He especially enjoyed the camping trips with staff to Camden and the bonfires.  He loved his almost daily car rides with Lesa S. where she took him out to farms, camp grounds, and places with tractors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alice Bertha (Meyer) Schulze in 1976, Alfred August Schulze in 2002; and his only brother, Robert Lee Schulze in 2013; and sister-in-law, Janice Ardelle (Raschke) Schulze in 2020. 

He is lovingly remembered by his housemates: Mark Nielsen and Lucy. They were truly his brother and sister as he would tease them just like a sibling. Mark called Ronnie "Old Fart" and Ronnie called Mark "Stinker." Ronnie would ruffle Lucy's hair just to get a rise out of her! Ronnie had many other housemates that went before him to their eternal home during the 44 years he lived there.

Ronnie is also lovingly remembered by the many caregivers at REM and DAC who shared many memories of Ronnie. Also, his nephews; David (Gail) Schulze of Holland, MN, Rodney (Linda) Schulze of Holland, MN, Jeffery (Beth) Schulze of St. Cloud, MN and niece, Jillene (Rick) Schulze Johnson of Woodstock, MN. Great Nieces and Nephews, Linzie (Brent) Schulze Dagel, Nicholas (Kayla) Schulze, Casey (Dan) Schulze Uilk, Dean (Kristina) Schulze, Devin (Becca) Schulze, Christopher (Roxanne) Schulze, Megan Schulze, Brandon (Maddi) Schulze, Justin (Olivia) Schulze, Brice (Kaitlyn) Johnson, Trent (Nichole) Johnson, Janelle (Kole) Johnson Vogt, Jonah (Madison) Johnson, Micah Johnson, and Jon Lucero. He has 25 great nieces and nephews and 2 on the way.