Gary "Griz" Schiltz

Services are pending

Gary “Griz” Schiltz aka Wise One, 72, of Craig, IA died Wednesday Jan. 8, 2020 peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife and kids.

Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020 at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen, IA with Pastor Trish Underberg officiating.  Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen, IA.  Graveside military honors will be conducted by Heeren-McHale-Wilkens American Legion Post 724 of Brunsville, IA.  Visitation with family present will be 4-7 p.m. with prayer service at 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Craig, IA, 400 Linn Street, (Craig) LeMars, IA.  Visitation will resume 9:30 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. 

Gary was born on Aug. 11, 1947 to Richard and June (Boever) Schiltz.  We’re not sure if he was born in the LeMars Hospital or in a barn on the farm where he grew up near Remsen, IA.  He received his education from St. Mary’s Catholic School, and much to his mother's delight graduated in 1965.

One day while riding horses with a friend he met Mona “Mert” Brown and fell in love after seeing how well she could milk a cow.  They united in marriage, because they had to thanks to the ’57 chevy, which he was so proud of, on Sept. 5, 1966 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen.  He enlisted in the US Air Force and served from 1966 until 1974.  During his service, he was stationed in Georgia, Iceland, and Minnesota.  He was proud of the time he served his country and continued to honor all service members by being a member of the Heeren McHale Wilkens American Legion Post 724 and American Legion Riders Post 241.

After being honorably discharged, he and his family moved to Craig, IA.  He volunteered on the Craig Fire Department and served as a member of the Craig City Council.

Over the years he made a living as a laborer, truck driver, and farm hand to support his hobbies; such as riding his Harley’s, bar hopping, purchasing Budweiser by the pallet, stock piling bottles of Jack Daniels, and collecting many friends on his road trips, but he always made sure to take care of his wife and family first.

During their 53 years of marriage they raised a son, Robert (Charissa) of Craig, IA, two daughters, Tammy (Dave) Eyer of Craig, IA and Amanda (Nathan) Lidgett of Chatsworth, IA.  Who then increased the need for more Christmas gifts by adding 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren whom are all survivors.

Gary is also survived by 4 ornery brothers, Steve of Remsen and special friend Kathy of Kingsley, IA, Jim (Diana) of Casa Grande, AZ, Bill (Karna) of Hinton, IA and Doug of West Des Moines, IA; two strong sisters, Karen (Bob) Fiedler and Mary (Randy) Stoos both of Remsen; In laws, Roberta (Lon) Fry of Indianola, IA, Edna Wilson and special friend Terry of Remsen, IA, Fred (Sue) Brown of Waterbury, NE, numerous nieces and nephews, and many  many special friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Aric Lee Orban, brother, Eugene, his parents in-law, Robert & Lorraine Brown, brother-in-law, Frank Wilson, sister-in-law, Pam Schiltz.

Casket bearers will be Wesley Orban, Tyler Boehm, Eric Eyer, Trayven Lidgett, Brock Voorhees and Zachary Eyer.