JoAnn Schulz

November 14, 1935 - February 18, 2021

Jo Ann Schulz was born at home in Bennington, Nebraska on November 14th, 1935 to Esther and Fred Petersen. She graduated from Yutan High School in 1953 and continued her education at Midland University. She taught elementary school in country schools around Yutan until starting her family. She married Lonny Schulz on May 21st, 1955 at the St. John Lutheran Church and they made their home in Yutan where they raised their three children: David, Alicia, and Dean. Eventually, she returned to work to serve as the clerk at the local Post Office and became the Postmaster in 1971. She loved her work at the post office and enjoyed attending many postmaster conventions. She retired from the post office in 1996 after 25 years as Postmaster and went on to help her daughter Alicia with her daycare and worked at various other part-time jobs. She had a great work ethic and often said “Millions of people have to get up and go to work daily, so can you and I. “ Jo Ann enjoyed going to Nebraska football games with her husband, taking their children on vacations, and traveling with friends. She loved her time with her mom, her sister, and cousin Donis especially playing Keno, visiting the casino, and going to the Aksarben Race Track. They loved gathering to host “card parties” as often as they could. She enjoyed time with all her family and made sure to teach her grandchildren how to properly play cards, even though she routinely cheated. In her later years when it was hard for her to go places, she loved playing scratch tickets. Bringing her scratch tickets during a visit was a sure way to get into her good graces. Jo Ann and Lonny spent many weekends and summer days at Lake Platteview. She enjoyed sitting on the swing watching the river, visiting with friends and family, and taking rides on her golf cart. She loved going to church with her family and visiting with other church members who she called “her church family.” She would often try to get those around her to play Hangman during the sermon. She loved to cook and bake and enjoyed sharing her deserts with family and friends. When cooking became too much of a chore she loved Taco Tuesdays and “McEvoy girls’ meals.” After Lonny died in 2017 she remained in their home. Friends, family, and neighbors often checked on her and brought her home cooking and treats for Lucky. She always spoiled Lucky with bologna, hot dogs, and whatever else was on her plate. Jo Ann loved visitors, phone calls, and letters from family and friends. She was proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild Dax. Jo Ann was witty, ornery, and loved to tease. Jo Ann died at her home in Yutan with her family around her on February 18th, 2021 at the age of 85 years, 3 months, and 5 days. She was comfortable and peaceful. She was preceded in death by her parents Esther and Fred, husband Lonny, son David, granddaughter Alivia, and cousin Donis. Jo Ann is survived by her daughter Alicia (Randy) Harlow, son Dean, sister Connie McEvoy, sister-in-laws Connie Weston and Jeris Gillespie, grandchildren James, Dallas (Kirstin), Abbie, and Trevor, great-grandchild Dax, dog Lucky, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Visitation with family will be held from 10 am – 11 am on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at Reichmuth Funeral Home in Yutan. A small service will be held following the visitation with Rev. Everett Lerew officiating. Burial will take place at a later date in Holst Lawn Cemetery near Yutan. Memorials can be made to Waterloo United Methodist Church or a charity of donor’s choice and can be made or left at the Reichmuth Funeral Home. There will be a recording of the service available to view on this website shortly after the service.