Gary Schulte

Gary H. Schulte, 76, of Dorchester, IA, died Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 2nd, from 3:00 – 7:00 PM at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. Private family funeral services along with burial will be held at St. Mary's Hanover Catholic Church in rural Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Veterans Memorial Hospital or St. Patrick's School, both in Waukon, or to a charity of choice.

Gary Henry Schulte was born on September 10, 1947, in Waukon, IA, the son of Henry "Hank" and Gertrude (Burke) Schulte. He attended French Creek #6 country school through 8th grade and graduated from St. Patrick's High School in Waukon in 1965. On October 21, 1967, Gary married Janis Link; they became parents to two children: Victoria "Vicki" and Eric.

His entire adult life was devoted to his farming skills, owning land in Hanover and French Creek Townships, Allamakee County, and raising crops, hogs, and beef cattle. Over the years, Gary was a member of the Allamakee County Extension Council, Allamakee Cattlemen's Association, and the Board of Directors of the German Farmers Insurance Company. As a lifetime member of St. Mary's Hanover Catholic Church in rural Waukon, Gary was instrumental in the care and improvements made to the church property and also was the cemetery director.

Gary enjoyed attending his granddaughters' activities and visiting with family and friends. He also liked to travel, including Sunday drives around the county and fishing trips up north. Gary loved deer hunting season and liked playing cards as well.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janis; son Eric Schulte; daughter Vicki (Brian) Ahlstrom; grandchildren: Shelby (Jacob) Trout, Madisen (John Sullivan) Ahlstrom, and Kiara (Thomas Hadley) Ahlstrom; one great-granddaughter Cecilia "CeCe" Jane Trout; and his siblings: Doris Eglseder, Mavis (Gary) Berns Mathes, Eileen (Bernard) Berns, Ella Mae (Bill) Collins, Rick (Sue) Schulte, Rita Schulte, and Wayne (Jean) Schulte. Gary was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother Gerald; his good friends and brothers-in-law: Robert Eglseder and Verdine Berns; and sister-in-law Marcia (David) Link Prins.

Casketbearers are Diane Hirth, Brent Berns, Brenda Klein, Meghan Lindberg, Shawn Schulte, Reg Schulte, Scott Irons, and Paul Link.