Donald Schultz, Jr.

Donald Kenneth “Donnie” Schultz, Jr., age 58, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 10, 2018, at his home, following an 18-month battle with colon cancer.

Donnie was born on June 10, 1959, in Winona, to Donald K. and Roseanne (Rebhahn) Schultz, Sr.  He graduated from Cotter High School in 1977, and from Western Technical College with a certificate in Diesel Mechanics.  Donnie and Anne M. Hoesing were united in marriage on June 21, 1997, at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Winona, MN.  Donnie and Anne became the proud parents of daughter Alice Rose on November 9, 1998.

He always worked with his hands, starting at the age of 8, picking strawberries for a local produce grower.  In his adult years he worked for Budnick’s Repair, Madison Silo, Cenex Harvest States for 20 plus years, Wapasha Construction and most recently for Winona Heating and Ventilating.  He was an accomplished mechanic, welder, fabricator, pipefitter, builder, and all around “handyman”.

Donnie was a life-long resident of his beloved East End of Winona, preserving the heritage and customs at every given chance.  He was a member of the East End Neighborhood Watch Group, assisting in the beautification of Sobieski Park.  He played Santa Claus for several years for the neighborhood children at the annual Christmas Hay Ride party.  He became a member of the Dog Pound Classic Car Club after building his treasured 1925 T-Bucket Rat Rod.  He was one of the founding members of The Grinders, a second generation Car Club.  His favorite summertime activity was to travel the area to car shows and vintage rock-a-billy hot rod festivals with his daughter and friends.

He prided himself on his family and his band of life-long friends.  Together they built and fixed many cars, hot rods, drag racing cars, houses (including his own), a 1957 classic bus, and too many other projects to mention.  Donnie lived his life, refusing to let it just go by.

Donnie is survived by his mother: Roseanne Schultz; wife: Anne; daughter: Alice Rose; brothers: Ronnie (Cloann) and Craig (Cristen); aunts: Sally Schultz and Paula (Charlie) McNally; in-laws: Mary (Howard) Knodel, Mike (Linda) Hoesing, Lynn Hoesing, Karla (Darrell) Sawyer, Jean Hoesing; several nieces, nephews, cousins, numerous special friends and honorary family members Scott and Heidi Marks.

He was preceded in death by his father: Donald Sr.; parents-in-law: Henry and Alice Hoesing; brother-in-law: Steve Hoesing; nephew: Aaron Hoesing; several uncles, aunts and very dear friends.

Visitation will be held from 10 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 12 Noon on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka.  The Reverend Monsignor Thomas J. Hargesheimer will officiate.  Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.  A celebration of Donnie’s life will follow at the East Side Bar.

The family would like to express our sincere gratitude for our relatives and friends who have stood by us and supported us throughout this entire journey.  We would have been lost without each and every one of you.  Thank you.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Donnie’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.