Lillian A. Schutte
Lillian Ann Walch Schutte, 93, of Postville, died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, at Good Samaritan Center, Postville. Lillian was born Sept. 13, 1929, at her grandmother’s house in Luana, to John and Frieda Walch. She was baptized Oct. 26, 1929, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville, by Pastor Finck and confirmed April 2, 1944, by Pastor Ludwig. Lillian attended school at Luana School where she was active in band.
On Dec. 30, 1950, Lillian was united in marriage with Eugene Schutte at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville. Lillian and Gene grew a tradition of farming together on a farm that had been in the family since 1889. Along with raising four children, Lillian and Gene worked side by side milking cows and raising chickens, sheep, pigs, horses, corn, oats and hay. Alongside farming, Lillian cooked, baked and canned her garden produce.
Lillian was a farmwife, hospice volunteer, ceramic painter, church member, Grand Meadow Country Club member and WELCA member. This included serving many church meals, making quilts and kits for people in need, mending for the Good Samaritan Center, planting, weeding and watering church flowers, stitching the cloths used to wipe a baby’s head during baptisms and serving on the Altar Guild. She also worked at the school lunchroom as a substitute cook. She was ready to help Gene with his farm or shop projects, or to assist grandchildren with 4-H sewing or baking projects. Every year, she spent many hours in the flower and vegetable garden encouraging unique plants to grow. In her spare time, she enjoyed stitchery, embroidery, darning socks, quilting and tatting.
In 1991, Lillian and Gene moved to Postville and continued growing friendships and gardens after moving to town. They enjoyed fish ponds, flowers, trees and taking time to share an afternoon cookie and cup of coffee or tea after finishing a project or repairing a broken part. Visitors were always welcome to enjoy a treat, a garden tour and a basket of goodies to take home.
Surviving Lillian are her four children, Barbara Leuschen, Lincoln, Neb., Bradley (Kathy) Schutte, Elkader, Brian (LaRae) Schutte, Luana, and Beth (Daryl) Henkes, Monona; 11 grandchildren, Anne (Mike) Marko, Sarah Kanter, Brett (Lanette) Schutte, Craig (Sarah) Schutte, Mark (Kelsey) Schutte, Hanna (Jeffrey) Linngren, Jacqueline (Dylan) Schnuelle, John (Rachel) Schutte, Zachary (Emily) Henkes, Brady Henkes and Clayton Henkes; nine great-grandchildren, Maddie and Mikey Marko, Lily and Charlie Kanter, Ayden and Holden Schutte, Rowan and Maren Schutte and Paige Linngren; one sister, Laura Lenth, Postville; one brother, Harlan Walch, Luana; one sister-in-law, Jeanette Walch, Luana; and many other special nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Schutte, on April 5, 2008; her parents, John and Frieda Walch; granddaughter, Faith Henkes; brother, Ewald Walch; son-in-law, Nick Leuschen; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Alvin Lenth, Marilyn Walch, Lloyd and Clarine Schutte and Ivan and Eleanor Torkelson.
Visitation was Oct. 6, at St. Paul Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, Postville. Funeral services were Oct. 7, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville, with Rev. Lynn Noel as the officiant. Burial followed at Postville Cemetery, Postville.
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Postville, is helping the family with the arrangements.
