Winifred Mary Schulte, age 98, of Caledonia, Minn., died peacefully on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
Winifred was born in Caledonia on September 28, 1926, to Henry and Genevieve (Hoscheit) Meyer. She attended Catholic Central Grade School, graduated from Loretto High School in 1944 and graduated from Winona Business College.
Her first job was with a local law firm Flynn & Rippe. She stayed here until she married Leo Schulte on June 6, 1949. They lived in Rochester for two years before returning to Caledonia.
Winifred and Leo were partners for many years in a successful dairy farming business. Winifred used her legal and accounting skills to help manage the farm operation.
She worked briefly at Duxbury Law Office during tax time and later at the Probate Court of Houston County serving as deputy clerk. In 1981, she was hired to the law firm Roerkohl, Rippe & Lee which evolved into Rippe, Hammell & Murphy. She remained there until her retirement.
Winifred and Leo loved to travel and visited many interesting places both here and abroad. After retirement they were able to spend some winter months in Arizona. Leo died there unexpectedly on February 6, 1996.
Winifred was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Winona Council of Catholic Women, Catholic Daughters of America and the American Legion Auxiliary. She served on the boards of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ma Cal Grove Country Club and ABLE Inc.
Her greatest interest was her family. She took pride in providing hearty meals daily, including dessert. Feeding a family of 11 well included a big garden and lots of canning and freezing. She loved family gatherings.
She was an avid Warrior and Viking football fan. She also enjoyed bowling, golfing, playing cards, and musicals.
Preceded in death by her husband Leo Schulte, her parents Henry and Genevieve Meyer, two infant siblings, Audrey and Robert; brother Charles Meyer, sister Lorraine Rollins, son-in-law Dave Rome, two infant grandsons, Connor and Ryan Fried; in-laws Grace Meyer, Miles Schmitz, Henry Rollins, and August and Agnes Schulte. Also preceded in death by Lorraine Collins, Helen and Joe Cuhel, Will White, Sr Jean Schulte OSF, and Eleanor and Leonard Pawlikowski.
Survived by her nine children: Janice Rome, Anne (Myron) Falken, Debra (Dave) Albersman, Michael Schulte, John (Patty) Schulte, Stephen (Julie) Schulte, Joseph Schulte, Mark (Linda) Schulte and Ellen (Kevin) Fried; sister Lois Schmitz, in-laws Paul and Mary Schulte, 21 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Friday, February 21, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Caledonia. Father Andrew Vogel will officiate and burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, at St. Mary’s Holy Family Hall, with a prayer service at 5 p.m. Visitation will also be from 10-10:45 a.m. Friday before the service at the hall. Memorials may be given to St. Mary’s School or Caledonia Semcac Food Shelf.
McCormick Funeral Home is assisting the family and online condolences may be given at mccormickfuneralhome.net.
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