Gary Raymond Shultz

Gary Raymond Shultz, 60, passed away December 9, 2012 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. Gary R. Shultz was born November 15, 1952 to Gerald and Geraldine Shultz, the youngest of two children. He grew up in North Branch and graduated in 1970.

He was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church. Through his young life and into his teens he helped his father; who started Bob’s Salvage east of North Branch on Highway 95. During that time he also worked for Bob and Edna Lee, who owned and operated a gas station, welding shop and grocery store on the west side of town. In 1971 he was hired as a mechanic at Anderson Koch Ford and remained there until 1973 when he was offered a job with North Branch Oil Company driving bulk fuel oil until 1980. He was then employed by Curtis Oil Company until 1988.

From then until 2011 he worked for Kath Fuel Oil Service but was forced into retirement due to increased health issues. In 1972, he married Rozelia Lehman of Sunrise. In 1976 they built a home south of North Branch. In 1978 they became proud parents of their only son Matthew Kristofer. In 1983 he and his wife divorced, but remained friends and continued to celebrate life events. In 2004 he welcomed a beautiful daughter-in-law; Brandy Studniski into the family. In 2002 he met Lois, a special lady that captured his heart and the two remained friends until her passing in 2009. Because of the line of work Gary was in he often times would come upon families that were struggling to make ends meet. They would have no food for the holidays or presents for their children. He took it upon himself to purchase food and gifts to make sure that those he could help…he did.

Gary is survived by his son Matthew and wife Brandy, of Sunrise; special loved ones Rozelia and husband Daniel Valez; Jay Valez and fiancé Anna Sutormina of North Branch; mother Geraldine Shultz of Sandstone; sister Judy and husband Greg Haulptzok of Askov; Uncle Frank and wife Sharon Shultz and families of Blaine; Aunts Ruth Anne Pulkrabek and families of Bloomington; Alyce Davis and families of Mora, and Jean and husband Arnold Johnson and families from Texas; also many other relatives and good friends. Gary was a loving and devoted husband, father, and a true friend to all those whose lives he touched. He loved God and life. He considered his primary blessings to be family, fishing, camping and story telling. Gary was special! He will be truly missed by all those who knew and loved him. A Celebration of Life will be Friday, December 21, at Grandstrand Funeral Home in North Branch, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please join his family to reminisce of a life well lived. They say that to love another person is to see the face of God. Surely God loved him…and surely he has seen the face of God and is with him now. Arrangements are under the direction of Grandstrand Funeral Home in North Branch. Condolences maybe left at www.grand strandfh.com.