Funeral services for Kenneth M. Schatz, age 74 of Elgin, will be 10:30am Wednesday, November 29, at the Bethesda United Methodist Church in Elgin. Pastor Hazel Behrens will officiate with inurnment in Bethesda United Methodist Cemetery.


A family service will be held at 7:00pm on Tuesday evening at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin.

Special music will be provided by Verna Shawchuck, organist and Vernon Glaesemann, soloist.


Serving as casketbearers are Kurt Waldbillig, Dan Ackerman, Mark Bogart, Virgil Swift, Dennis Sabin, and Ernest Fitterer. All friends and relatives are considered honorary bearers.

Kenneth Melvin Schatz was born December 2, 1931 at the farm home in Elgin, North Dakota to Emilia (Karch) and Henry Schatz Sr. He attended a country school near his home and later on farmed and ranched with his parents. He was united in marriage to LaDonna Skalsky on March 25, 1956 at Glen Ullin, ND. Kenneth, better known as Kenny to friends and family, loved to chat and visit with people about farming, their families and backgrounds and could strike up a conversation with anyone, about anything. Kenny loved to farm, read, play cards as well as tease and goof off with his family; his granddaughters in particular. He was also known for his great sense of humor, kindness and willingness to help others. Kenny was invited to and participated on numerous boards over his lifetime, including various positions with the United Methodist Church boards, rural fire district, FHA Board, Elgin School Board and most recently, was serving as a current member of the Jacobson Memorial Hospital Board.

Kenneth passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2006 at Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin.


Kenneth is survived by his loving wife, LaDonna of Elgin, four children, Kirby (JoAnn) Schatz of Elgin, Kerry Schatz of Hazen and fiancée, Mary Long of Dickinson, Kay (Monty) Mayer of Steele, and Kelly (Mark) Jennings of Washburn. His seven beautiful granddaughters, Dr. Bethanie Schatz of Hastings, MN, Lindsay Schatz and Abby Schatz of Bismarck, Jordan and Jacey Mayer of Steele, and Madelyn and Molly Jennings of Washburn, also survive him. He is also survived by his sister Eunice (Norman) Schulz of New Leipzig, his brothers, Rev. Jim (Sally) Schatz of Tripp, SD, and Henry Jr. (Bev) Schatz of Bismarck, three sisters-in-law, Lydia (Ervin) Schatz of Elgin, Winnefred Schatz (Clifford) of New Leipzig, and Arlene (Emil) Schatz of Glen Ullin and many nieces and nephews.


Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Emilia Schatz and three brothers, Ervin, Clifford and Emil Schatz.