Funeral services for Donald B. Schiltz, 86, of Estherville, were held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Estherville with Father Paul Kelly – Celebrant and Father Merlin Schrad - Concelebrant. Interment will be at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Estherville, with military rites by VFW Post 3388 and American Legion Post 91, both of Estherville. He passed away at Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville, Iowa on Sept. 9, 2023.
Visitation was held 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, with a vigil service at 3:30 p.m. at the church.
Donald Baptist Schiltz, son of Arnold and Ella (Vaske) Schiltz, was born at home, on the family farm, on July 26, 1937, in Bancroft, Iowa.
Don graduated from St. John’s High School in Bancroft with the class of 1955. Following graduation, he attended college at AIB College of Business and Iowa Lakes Community College. He served in the United States Navy from 1956 until 1958.
On June 28, 1960, Don was united in marriage to Mary Faith McGuire at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bancroft, Iowa. In 1961, they moved to Estherville, Iowa where together they raised their seven children. Don was an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, where he also served as the Religious Education Director for six years.
Don enjoyed his career in the car business that lasted over 60 years. His career began at Kemna Motors in Bancroft, and he would eventually spend many years working for Motor Inn in Estherville. He learned that he was officially retired in 2022 when his picture wasn’t included in the Motor Inn advertisement in the newspaper. Don cherished the many relationships he developed with his customers and friends.
Don dedicated his time to the Estherville School District by serving on the School Board for 14 years as well as the Booster Club. His involvement earned him the 2017 ELC Booster Club Fan of the Year. Don touched the lives of many young people through sports and enjoyed those lifelong friendships. Many would stop to visit when they got the chance.
In his spare time, Don shared his passion for sports with his children by volunteering his time coaching, running the scoreboard, and moving the chains on the football field. Beyond coaching, you could find Don in the stands cheering on his many grandchildren or broadcasting the games on the radio. He proudly watched 42 years of football between his kids and grandkids. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, golfing, fishing, and woodworking. Don spent many hours in his rocking chair, where you may also find a grandchild or two on his lap.
Don is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary; his children, Therese (Roger) Christensen, Julie (John) McMahon, Patrick (Julie) Schiltz, Michelle (Dave) Gruhlke, Gregg (Adriana) Schiltz, Sarah (Pete) Paulson, and Chris (Shannon) Schiltz; his grandchildren, Emily (Jim) Coniglio, Michael (Kelsie) Christensen, Amanda (Kris) Kirchner, Marcus, Daniel, and Matthew Christensen; Kristen (Brian) Dickmeyer, Andrew (Olivia) McMahon, Erin and Molly McMahon; Grace, William, Thomas Schiltz; Nicholas (Aly) Gruhlke, Matt (Emily) Gruhlke, Katie (Kyle) Dalen; Taylor and Allison Schiltz; Clay (Amanda) Paulson, Alex (Lydia) Paulson, Noah (Krista) Paulson, Brenna Paulson; Ryan, Cara, and Ella Schiltz, and his great-grandchildren; Ellie & Jack Peterson, Emilia, Zoey, Jimmy, & Brody Coniglio; Caroline, Emma-Kate, & Eliette Christensen, Michael, Leah, Hattie, & Kate Kirchner, Nathen, Addilyn, & Tyler Dickmeyer; Izabela & Sofia McMahon; Lyla, Thomas, & Maggie Gruhlke; Colin & Evan Gruhlke; Charlotte & Gia Paulson. He is also survived by his siblings; Francis (Darlene), Lois Ferguson, Anthony (Judy), and Richard; his in-laws, Dianne Schiltz, Bill (Ann) McGuire, Joe (Carolyn) McGuire, Pat, Marty, and Cheryl McGuire, Ann Degen, and Kristi Brandenburg.
Don is preceded in death by his infant granddaughter, Catherine Schiltz; his parents, Arnold and Ella; his sister, Sister Eileen Schiltz; brothers Edward and David; his in-laws, Rosie and JoAnn Schiltz, Ed and Jessie McGuire, John, Tom, and Barbara McGuire, Stephen Brandenburg, Donald Degen, and Delbert “Fergie” Ferguson.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com.
