In loving memory of

Donald K Schulze
March 29, 1924 - August 9, 2019

Donald K. Schulze, age 95 passed away on August 9th, 2019. There will be a gathering from 1 -2:00 p.m. Thursday August 15, at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1416 20th Street, Ames, in the fireside room with a 2:00 p.m. Memorial service in the Founders Chapel, at Northminster Presbyterian Church, and a family burial in the Ames Municipal Cemetery.
Don was born March 29th, 1924 in New York City to Louis and Joan Schulze. When he was a youngster, the family moved to Bryn Mawr Park, a suburb of Yonkers, New York where they lived in a modest Cape Cod house located in a beautiful secluded valley that was once part of a Dutch estate.
He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, and in his senior year attended a Defense School, where he studied aircraft construction. Upon his graduation, he worked one year building invasion barges before entering the service. During WWII he served in a glider battalion in the airborne Engineers, and was later commissioned as a navigator in the Army Air Corps.
He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1949 with a BS in Civil Engineering, with emphasis on structural engineering. While at the University, he married Carol Lee Grandfield on a snowy April 14th, 1949 in the first Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. For nearly 40 years, he worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation where he retired as the Assistant Bridge Engineer on 12/31/1988.
He was a lifetime member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, charter member of the Northminster Presbyterian church, and deeply involved in the Ames community, serving with the Cub Scout Program, Community Chest Board, Ames Annexation Committee, MICA Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Ames Board of Review and a member of the Ames Golden K Kiwanis.
Don's greatest joy was spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, which included holiday gatherings, Florida vacations, time at the family property in Lake Panorama and an annual gathering at the cabins on Lake Red Rock. He and his wife enjoyed traveling in their motor home and visited various national parks and historic sites. He liked the Arkansas Ozarks so much that he bought 40 acres of timberland with a creek where he and his wife spent many years roaming around and enjoying their acreage. His other interest included, hiking, sailing on his Hobie Cat, bicycling on his trike, golf and reading historical books. He enjoyed woodworking and completed many projects at his home and the homes of his children. He was an avid Hawkeye fan and rarely missed a Homecoming with classmates.
He is survived by his wife, Carol, son David (Maralyn) Schulze of Marshalltown, daughters Karen Lasche and Donna (Monte) Lutz of Ames, six grandchildren, Joshua (Trista) Schulze, Jacob Schulze, and Mara (Alex) Pfaltzgraff, Lucas (Amy) Lasche, Katie (Matt) Lutz Mc Neill, and Amanda (Lance) Baetsle, a sister Nathalie Shapiro of Ellicott, Maryland, as well as many nieces and nephews. He loved being around all four of his great-grandchildren, Ezra, Zoe, Matilda, and Eli. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Lou and sister-in-law Mary Ann Schulze, and son-in-law Larry Lasche.
Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Mary Greeley Hospice or Northminster Presbyterian Church.
Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com

Tributes

Tom Bown wrote on Aug 14, 2019:

"I always looked forward to seeing Don when our families got together. He was invariably cheerful, full of enjoyment of life and love of family, and generally just fun to be with. I will miss him."

Denise Lynk wrote on Aug 12, 2019:

"Dave, Maralyn & family....so sorry to hear of your father's passing. Prayers and hugs coming abundantly your way! Love, Denise, Gary, Katy Lynk Don & Delores Hauser Dan & Cindy Hauser & Family"

John Bown wrote on Aug 12, 2019:

"Uncle Don is tops among the finest men I have known in my life. His dedication to his family, church and community are an example to men of honor everywhere. He lived a full life and did not leave any void when he left us; only a fountain of love and caring that will continue to flow into the lives of his family and all who knew him."

Mindy Bryngelson wrote on Aug 12, 2019:

"Dave and Family, I'm so sorry to hear of your father's passing. What a long, full life he lived filled with wonderful family. Thinking of you all."

Joan Fitzsimmons wrote on Aug 11, 2019:

"Dear Carol, Karen and family. We are so sorry to hear of Don?s passing. Don always had a smile on his face whenever I visited your apartment and LOVED time spent on his balcony. His cabinetry skills were incredible! He certainly left his mark on our world. Carol, please take care of yourself! Know that I will be around to help you in any way that I can. Your wish is my command! Jonie and John Fitzsimmons"

David Schulze wrote on Aug 10, 2019:

"Dad was the guiding light and rock to our family there was no end to the love he shared with us and all who knew him. Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Father-in-Law, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Best Friend, he is the example on how it is to be done. We will miss him. My loss in unmeasurable. I love you Dad."

Carol Thurston Gelina wrote on Aug 10, 2019:

"My heart goes out to all of the Schulze family. I have so many good memories of Don. What a wonderful friend he and Carol were to my parents, John and Phyllis, and my sister, Lisa and myself. Don and my dad had a lot of fun golfing and enjoyed a trip to Maine where they sailed and had a great time. That was a trip that Don recalled when he eulogized my dad. I so appreciated him doing that. Don will be missed by so many. I will always hold a special place in my heart for him. Carol Thurston Gelina "