Walter “Wally” Schulz Jr., left-handed and proud of it, passed away April 3, 2011, at age 86 ¾. Wally was born in Racine on June 29, 1924, son of the late Walter and Meta E. (Nee: Wiese) Schulz, Sr.
A lifelong Racine County resident, he spent his early years on Racine’s Franklin Street before the family moved to a farm on 3 Mile Road, West of I-94. He graduated from Hunter Grade School, then Horlick High School in 1944.
Wally was an accomplished figure-eight ice skater and loved roller skating, especially waltzing. In fact, he met Wayne Marie Kappel roller skating at Reggie’s Beachland Roller Rink in 1944. They were united in marriage on August 23, 1947, at the First Methodist Church; the love story would always include the weather: that day was the hottest day of the year at 105 degrees.
He loved playing horseshoes and fast-pitch baseball, playing on the Case Co. team in the late 1940s. A true farmer at heart, his “field” and garden was a bit famous for asparagus, cantaloupe and his potatoes. His love of planting turned his backyard into “almost a local park.”
During World War II he served with honor in the U.S. Army as a rifleman, in Central Europe and Rhineland; receiving the WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, EAME Campaign Medal and two Bronze Service Stars
As an electrician, Wally was employed by JI Case Co; Charlie Jones Electric; 23 years at Van's Electric; Gerber Electric, MaGaw, and contracted work at SC Johnson Wax Co. He proudly wired homes, churches, factories, attics and schools all around Racine, including the airport runway lights, wiring in the Zoo’s lion’s cage, and the movable Main Street Bridge electrical system. He retired in 1989, a 50+-year member of the IBEW Union and Apprenticeship Board, Local 430.
He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church for 65 years, serving on the Board of Trustees, six years Fun & Fellowship president, MYF youth director with his wife; personable auctioneer of the annual church Holiday Bazaar & Ham Ball Dinner, a leader of the adult Sunday school group, the “go-to” electrician and resident humorist.
As community volunteer he served as Chairman of the 1956-57 Building Committee for the one-room Tucker School; was actively involved with the Racine County 4-H and Racine County Fair youth building for many decades; taught the electricity project for 37 years in the Tucker 4-H Club.
Recognitions included the 1994 Franksville Business Community Service Award; Tucker 4-H Leadership Award; 1998 Reminisce Magazine featuring two photos of Wally; quotes of “his weather observations” were included on the 10 p.m. Milwaukee TV News plus a front page 1963 Racine Journal Times story.
Wally valued “studying” things and problems, keeping records and track of statistics, figuring out how things work, and watching the weather. Everyone benefited from his electrical knowledge, car maintenance skills, gardening talents and analytical skills.
Wally loved all ice cream, and as this was the special treat for his birthday since he was a boy, so it was fitting that the last thing he ate was chocolate ice cream.
Wally’s brand of humor arrived in many forms. He was famous for his teasing and kidding of absolutely everyone, with a kind and friendly style that made us all smile right along with him. He made you feel included and necessary in his “fun.” He usually called you by someone else’s name, just to get a gentle rise out of you. Year-'round, he would mention when his birthday was, just in case you wanted to drop off a gift, of any sort; as he would say, “any time would be just fine.” His style included introducing people to electricity by having them touch low electric current resulting in everyone getting a tickle out of this “shocking” fun. His humor included a sentimental touch when Wally would say, “I’m perfect now, thanks to my wife Wayne,” followed by a bit of a smile.
Thus he will always be remembered as the family teaser, an exceptionally devoted and loving husband, the energetic and interested father and playful grandfather who will be deeply missed. We are sad that he has gone, but joyful that he has joined his wife.
Wally’s ancestors immigrated from Germany to the Midwest: great-grandparents Henry Wm.T. and Dorothea T.(Roggenkamp)Bein of Scott County, Iowa; Hans and Silke (Veraks) Wiese, Avoca, Iowa; grandparents, Julius and Emma (Ballenski) Schulz, Chicago; Ferdinand and Emma Theresa (Bein) Wiese, Avoca, Iowa
Survivors include his children, Judith D.Schulz (Doug Harris), Burlington,WI, Karen R.(David) Gropman, Mill Rift, PA, David W. (Stacy) Schulz, Mequon, Scott C.(Jenny) Schulz, Racine; six grandchildren: Meta Schulz-Berg Carnahan (Marc) and Katrin Schulz-Berg, Elizabeth and Yale Gropman, Aubree and Alec Schulz; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Herbert Earl C. (Marilyn) Kappel of Racine, Peggy (Ronaldson) Schulz of Racine; nieces and nephews, Sandy, Harry, Kathy, Lori, Terry, Linda, Larry, Don, Nancy, Janet, Kurt, Sherry, Lysette; other relatives and many interesting friends. Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife of 62 years, Wayne Marie, on April 15, 2009; his brothers and sister, Harry F.Schulz, Robert “Bob” W. (Dorothy) Schulz, Ruth C. (Si) Stice, Raymond “Ray” Schulz, Richard “Dick” Schulz; and niece Barbra Joy.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 15, 2011, at 6 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 745 Main St., Racine, WI, with Rev. Brad Van Fossen, officiating; visitation is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Private interment with full military honors will be at West Lawn Memorial Park. . Memorials are suggested for youth leadership programs at First United Methodist Church, Racine; Racine County 4-H Leader’s Assn., 14200 Washington Ave., Sturtevant, WI 53177; or Hospice Alliance, Inc, 10220 Prairie Ridge Blvd, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888
