Harold David Schutz was born in Carson, ND, on August 25, 1948, to Theophil and Alvina (Heupel) Schutz. He died peacefully in his sleep at St. Catherine's Living Center in Wahpeton, ND, on August 19, 2015.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on September 12, 2015, at the Bethesda Methodist Church in Elgin, with Pastor Marvin Winstryg officiating. Burial of the ashes will follow in the Methodist Cemetery at Elgin. Evanson Jensen Funeral Home of Elgin is in charge of cremation and arrangements.

Harold was raised on the Schutz family farm in rural Elgin. He was the only son among five daughters. Educated at rural Hobson #3 District #12 and at Elgin Public Schools, Harold graduated from Elgin High School in 1967. After graduation, Harold farmed and ranched with his parents. Harold pursued a number of interests during his working years. He was very proud of his registered Angus cattle. He ran a butcher shop in Elgin. Later he worked at a butcher shop in New Salem, then for the railroad there.

Harold possessed a deep pride in his German heritage, and he enjoyed teaching his nieces and nephews a few German words. He especially enjoyed Schutz family holidays with good home-cooked meals, a house full of relatives, children playing, singing by the piano, and afternoon card games.

Eventually Harold was unable to work due to health issues and moved to Bismarck. He enjoyed a daily walking routine and delighted in waving a greeting when family and friends drove past.
Later Harold moved to Wilton, developing a special fondness for the resident dog in the care facility. During his last years he resided at St. Catherine's Living Center in Wahpeton. Harold enjoyed visits from his cousin, Clarence Schutz, who lived nearby.
All his life Harold maintained a strong interest in livestock.

Favorites in Harold's life were watching old western movies on TV, reading Louis L'Amour novels, and sharing stories about growing up on the farm or about his family, neighbors or friends. He would often laugh so hard at his own jokes that he couldn't talk. His typical greeting to his nieces and nephews was, "Hi, Monkey!"

Preceding Harold in death were his parents, his sister Irene Vogel, his brother-in-law Robert E. Hawn, his niece Danielle Beyer, and his nephew Kevin Dehne.

Surviving are his four sisters, Eldora Hintz, Bismarck; Sara (Dennis) Beyer, Morrill, NE; Ruth (Rueben) Pastian, New Leipzig; and Norma (Malcolm) Schulz, Elgin; his brother-in-law William (Joy) Vogel, LaFarge, WI; twenty-five nieces and nephews, numerous grandnieces and grandnephews, one great-grandnephew, and many friends among the staff and residents of St. Catherine's.

The family expresses deep appreciation to Pat Stern and the many physicians, nurses, CNAs, and other staff members at St. Catherine's who cared so well for Harold during his years there.