Patricia A. Schutz of Elwood passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at Elwood Care Center at the age of 95. Pat was born February 5, 1928 in McCook, Nebraska to William and Frances (Benjamin) Whisler. Pat was around six years old when the family moved from McCook to Eustis where she helped her dad manually turn the street lights on every evening and off again each morning. She attended school in Eustis and graduated with the class of 1946. After graduation, she taught school in a rural school south of Eustis for one year.
On February 26, 1948, Pat married Byron Schutz. They lived in Wyoming for a short time, then returned to Nebraska where they farmed in Frontier County. Pat was a farm wife and was busy raising her family. They later moved to Elwood and owned and operated a café and pool hall. Pat worked at Becton Dickinson in Holdrege for several years, then as a clerk at Clarks Grocery Store in Elwood, and at the Elwood Senior Center as a cook assistant and volunteer. She moved to a Senior Living complex for several years, then to the Elwood Care Center in May of 2007, where she had resided since. She was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elwood for many years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Byron; daughter, Leann; siblings, Marcy, Nadine, Jean and Tom. Survivors include her children, David (Shauna) of Culbertson, Peggy (Bob) of Elkhorn, Randall (Coleen) of Elwood and Daniel (Jennifer) of Atlanta; 12 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Services will be held Friday, December 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Aaron Witt officiating. Burial will be prior to the service at 9:30 a.m. at Elwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 14, 2023 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with family present. Berryman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.