Lavonne Marie "Lou" Schultze

LaVonne "Lou" Marie Schultze, age 90 of Yankton passed away early Sunday, April 13, 2014 at the Mercy Hospice House of Hiawatha, IA. Funeral services will be 2:30 PM, Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Yankton, with Rev. David Lund officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories, Yankton, SD. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM, Tuesday, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a Scripture service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.

LaVonne "Lou" Schultze was born on February 3, 1924 to Charles "Pete" and Ferne (Goeken) Plants in Faulkton, SD. LaVonne graduated from Faulkton High School and continued her education at the Sacred Heart School of Nursing, Yankton, SD, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1946.

In the autumn before graduating, Kenneth (Kenny) Schultze danced into Lou's life and stole her heart. They knew right away they were meant for each other and married 3 months later on November 15, 1946. They were blessed with three children, Jacquelin, Robert and Terri.

Lou was a loving wife and mother while supporting her husband in his business which had them relocate every few years. Lou worked as a nurse for Dr. Ranney at the Yankton Medical Clinic and at several hospitals, including Human Services Center in Yankton. She retired in 1984 from the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls and they returned to Yankton, SD. There she continued to work part time for insurance companies and as a home health care nurse, she was known for her compassionate and loving care.

Lou had many interests and was involved in many activities. Some of them included: Bible study, watching sports, shopping, collecting hats, and eating out with friends and family. The three most important being her family, her pets, and music.

Lou will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is survived by daughter Jackie (Dan) Thompson, Yankton, SD, son Robert (Kay) Schultze, Cedar Rapids, IA, and daughter Terri (Michael) Gorsett of Sparks, NV along with her 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and her special dog, Micky.

Lou was preceded in death by her parents, her spouse of 50 years Kenny, her brother William Plants, and daughter-in-law, Mary.

In celebration of her life, please feel free to wear her favorite color, pink.