Donald J. Schuldt

DONALD J. SCHULDT, age 77, of rural Elysian, died on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family after battling cancer.

Don was born on March 29, 1945, in Minneapolis and lived there until he graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1968 with a degree in secondary education. He accepted his first teaching job with Janesville Public Schools.

On September 9, 1967, Don was united in marriage to Darlene (Duff) A. Schmidt in Minneapolis. Together they made their home between Janesville and their lake home on Lake Francis in Elysian. In 1998, they built their forever home on the lake, where Don lived until his death.

A teacher at the Janesville/Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton (JWP) Public Schools for 35 years, Don shared his passion for education and learning inside and outside the classroom. He retired in 2003. Besides his teaching career Don also coached track and volleyball and was named to the JWP Hall of Fame in the fall of 2019.

Don’s zest for life found expression in a variety of experiences. He loved spending time with his family, vacationing and traveling the world, building and mechanics, tackling the countless projects on the homestead. He cherished life on the lake with his children and grandchildren. He was lovingly known for “Papa will fix it.” Don was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Mankato and enjoyed singing in the choir for many years. Friends and family knew him as a generous, light-hearted and compassionate individual.

Don is survived by his wife, Darlene (Duff) of Elysian, children: Tanner (Amanda) Schuldt and their children Eddie, Arra and Harrison of Elysian; McKenzie (Jay) Mulder and their children Jaidann, Teagan, Jacelynn and Brynlee of Elysian, and Marne (Justin) Slack of Owatonna, and their children Kennedy and Nolan; sisters Irene Hoffman and Delores (Paul) Holm; brother Ken (Jean) Schuldt; in-laws Donna and Richard Fisher; foster son John More; nieces, nephews and a host of friends and neighbors.

Visitation will be from 4:00 PM-6:45 PM with a Memorial Service at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, held at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Mankato with Pastor John Petersen as Officiant.

The family encourages you to share your email address with your condolences so they can express their heartfelt appreciation in the days to come. Memorials or plants are preferred in lieu of flowers.

For those unable to attend the service in-person, the service will be live streamed on the church's Facebook page.