Wilbur Schultz

Wilbur (Wib) Milton Schultz was born in Wausau to Henry Schultz and Bertha (Behnke) Schultz July 8th, 1925 and passed away peacefully in Merrill, WI on April 20th, 2011 surrounded by family members. Wilbur was met at heaven's door by his maker, his siblings Norman, Selma, Stella, Gilbert, Lawrence, Elvin, Lloyd, Ruby, and Hilbert, his many friends and dogs, Zach and Snoopy. In 1943 just prior to his enlisting in the US Air Force while at a Labor Temple dance in Wausau, Wilbur would meet the love of his life Henrietta (Etta) Elson. A World War II veteran, he proudly served state side for three years and was honorably discharged in April 1946. Returning to Wausau just three months later, he would marry Henrietta on June 15, 1946. Wib and Henrietta enjoyed life together for 64 wonderful years having seven children: Connie (Duane) Tessmer of Weston, WI, Randy (Marge) Schultz of Merrill, WI, Barbara Herrington of Eau Clare, WI; Terry Schultz of Weston, WI; Sue (Dan) Duranceau of Springdale, WA; Mary Schultz of Rothschild, WI; Chris Schultz of Tomahawk, WI; and Sandra Adamski of Schofield, WI. Their family would eventually grow to include 14 grandchildren: Lisa, Rich, Nathan, Jason, Angie, Theresa, Danika, Karlin, Grant, Shanda, Eric, Jessica, Adrianna, Garrett. and seven great grandchildren. In 1946 Wib started at the Rothschild Paper Mill where he worked as a foreman in the painting department. After 20 years at the mill he followed his heart, making a major career change by taking a gamble on a two year state pilot program for drug and alcohol addiction; he became a drug and alcohol abuse counselor. His gamble paid off two years later when the program was acquired by the North Central Health Care Center in Wausau from which he retired in 1986 with one of the lowest patient recurring rates. During his career as a counselor Wib was always available to his patients taking their telephone calls for help in the middle of the night, on weekends, and on holidays. On more than one occasion during non-office hours, patients were invited into his home for coffee and counseling for he had become more than a counselor to them, he had become a friend. Wib enjoyed weekends square dancing with Etta where he was often found to be calling a dance. But to his family his favorite hobby seemed to be the remodeling of their home which he always managed to start one week before Christmas. The Christmas holiday to his children was always celebrated amongst 2x4 studs, dry wall, paint, plumbing and electrical wiring; for Wib was a "jack of all trades" a trait which he passed on to all his children. There were very few things that he would not attempt to do or repair; working on cars, lawn mowers, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and even painting US mail boxes in the garage for the federal government. As a testament to his remodeling skills, in 1953 Wib and Etta bought a two story house in Rothschild and sold the same house 23 years later as a ranch home. Wib lived life by his favorite prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference. Wib's last days were spent under the loving care of the staff at Pine Crest Nursing Home Merrill, WI. The Schultz family would like to thank the staff at Pine Crest and the Ministry Hospice group for their help and compassion in his final days. LETTING GO The angels gathered near your bed, So very close to you. For they knew all of the things That you were going through. I thought about so many things I tightly held your hand; Oh, how I wished that you were strong And healthy again. But your eyes were looking homeward To a place beyond the sky Where God will hold you always; It was time to say goodbye. I struggled with my selfish thoughts For I wanted you to stay So we could walk and talk again Like we did – just yesterday. But God still knows what's best And I knew Gold loved you so. So I gave to you life's greatest gift: The gift of letting go. In lieu of a funeral, the family will be having a private service. Waid Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.

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