Sophie "Sue" A. Schutz

Sophie “Sue” Schutz (nee Ostapa) died on September 30, 2024, at age 100 years and six months. She was born in 1924, in Chicago, Illinois, and lived there until her mid-20s. Her parents were Polish immigrants; Sue was the seventh of nine children During WWII, her four brothers were in the armed services, while Sue worked in a factory supporting the war effort. She loved dancing and was a member of a Chicago USO servicemen’s center that sponsored morale boosting events for those in the military. She married John G. Schutz in 1948, an enduring union just shy of 73 years. Together they had 5 children. She valued and maintained friendships far and wide over the years. She was a spiritual person and time permitting, volunteered with her church. She was a skilled seamstress who sewed lovely clothes. She produced many oil paintings, and engaged in paper quilling, calligraphy, and other arts and crafts. She had a pitch-perfect soprano voice and sang at friends’ weddings, with “Mother Singer” groups, and in senior community entertainment productions. In retirement, she and John enjoyed traveling to countries in Europe, the Middle East, plus trips to Mexico and Canada, and to U.S. locations ranging from the East to West coasts, and from Alaska to Hawaii. Preceding Sue in death are her husband John G. Schutz and daughter Joanne Schutz. Four children remain as survivors: Linda Schutz (Robert “Bob” Davis, decd.), Karen LeMay (William “Bill” Coggins), Susanne Sims, and John Schutz II (Sandy). Other survivors include grandchildren Sara and Jennifer Coggins; Alexandra, Payton and Carter Schutz, and Jeffrey Larson; and great- granddaughter Bennett Kilmer, and Many nieces and nephews. Special mention goes to remaining sister-in-law Jan Buczek, a lifelong companion to Sue and John during their days in Minnesota and in Arizona. Utmost gratitude, appreciation, and accolades to daughter Karen for her constant care of Sue and John during their declining years. Many thanks to employees and service providers associated with The Heritage Legacy (Sun City West) and with Hospice of the Valley and health professionals who assisted Sue in her senior years and enhanced her quality of life. A Mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes in Sun City West, AZ on behalf of Sue later this year. In Spring 2025, a Mass will be held at Stephen’s Catholic Church, Anoka, MN for both Sue, and John Schutz, with their joint interment at nearby Calvary Cemetery at that time.