Jerry L. Schultz

Jerry L. Schultz, 85, of Columbus, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at UNMC in Omaha. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City with Pastor Mark Hartley officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 15, from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be held at the Bureau Cemetery near Pierce Chapel in rural Clarks. Jerry was born on May 18, 1938, to LeRoy and Irene (Bush) Schultz in Stromsburg. He grew up in the Clarks area and graduated from Clarks High School in 1956. Following his graduation, he served his country with the United States Marine Corps where he was stationed at 29 Palms and Okinawa, Japan. After his honorable discharge in 1959, Jerry worked for Pinkerton in Des Moines, where he met and married Geraldine Sheehan on February 27, 1960. He also worked for the Nebraska Highway Patrol as a dispatcher based out of McCook. In 1966, he began working for Frontier Airlines as a ramp and gate agent in various cities until 1986. After Frontier Airlines, he went to work for Stuhr Museum and as a dispatcher for GPS Express Airlines. Then in 1987, Jerry moved back to Columbus to become the airport manager for the City of Columbus until his retirement in 2008. Following his retirement, he worked at Columbus Community Hospital as a male drug screen observer until his death. Following Geraldine’s death in 1997, he was united in marriage to LaVonne Ida (Hillmer) Cleland on July 10, 1998, in Columbus. Jerry was a member of St. Bonaventure Church in Columbus, he was a member of the Columbus Optimist Club, Amvets and American Legion Post #84. In his free time, he enjoyed doing artwork, playing guitar and banjo. He was also a private pilot and all around aviation enthusiast. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, LaVonne of Columbus; his two sons, LeRoy (Maria) Schultz of Valrico, FL; William (Karlene) Schultz of Bellevue, NE; two step-daughters, Theresa (Steve) Clark of Raymond, NE and Angela (Shannon) Ramaekers of Bellwood, NE; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; nine step grandchildren; and ten step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Geraldine. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com.

Jerry L. Schultz

May 18, 1938 - March 12, 2024