Obit: Schutz, Gordon W. (1949 - 2009)

Contact: Dolores Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Schutz, Curtin, Opelt, Greenberg, Herron, Kohl

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.)  June 24, 2009

Schutz, Gordon W. (26 December 1949 - 16 June 2009)

Gordon W. Schutz, 59, of Granton and Detroit, MI, died Tuesday, June 16, 2009, at St. Joseph’s Palliative Care, Marshfield, after being admitted to the hospital June 10, 2009.

Gordon was born Dec. 26, 1949, in Marshfield, the second son of Merwyn G. and Henrietta L. (Curtin) Schutz.  As a young child, he attended Poplar Grove and East Fremont Elementary schools and worked on the family farm.  After the sixth grade, Gordon attended Purdy Junior High where he participated in the school band, playing the drums and accordion.  He received his high school education from Marshfield High School and was of the first class to graduate from the new school in 1968.  He spent his first two years of college at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and then received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1975, majoring in history.  He also earned his teaching certificate. Gordon earned his master’s degree in Spanish and history from Wayne State University in Michigan.

Gordon taught at Columbus Catholic High School in Marshfield and later in Richland Center. After moving to Bloomfield, MI, he taught Spanish in the public and private school systems and later at Wayne State University.  While pursuing his PhD, he became ill, which caused him to retire from teaching after 32 years.

With Gordon’s passion to help and teach, he spent three years in the United States Peace Corps touring Bolivia and Costa Rica.

Gordon declared his belief in the Baha’i faith and was active and a devoted member of the Baha’i community.

He loved music, antiques, tractors, reading and his beloved dogs, Cactus and Jake.

He will be sadly missed by his brothers, Fred Schutz, Oconomowoc, Ronald Schutz, Little River, TX, Kenneth Schutz, Las Vegas, NV, Gary Schutz, Marshfield, Donald Schutz, Philadelphia, PA, and Duane (Lisa) Schutz, Marshfield; sisters, Jeanie (Roger) Opelt, Chili, Nancy (Karl) Greenberg, Marshfield, Diane (David) Herron, Marshfield, and Debra (Steven) Kohl, Granton; and many nieces and nephews.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Merwyn and Henrietta Schutz; sister-in-law, Gloria Schutz; niece, Nicole "Nikki" Schutz; and his paternal and maternal grandparents.

A visitation and time of reflection was held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 19, 2009, at  Rembs Funeral Home, Marshfield, followed by committal services and burial at Windfall Cemetery in Granton.

The family will designate a memorial in his name at a later date.

Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com.