Schultz, Earlene Baum

Earlene Baum Schultz passed away Sept. 3, 2010. She was born to Grace (Shortess) and Earl Baum of Garrison, Iowa, on June 10, 1920. As her father was killed two weeks before she was born, her mother supported her family by running the Farmer's Mercantile Store in Garrison and taking in boarders. Earlene was a 1937 graduate of Garrison High School and then of the Cedar Rapids Business College. Before marrying Robert M. Schultz of Ackley, Iowa, on July 21, 1940, she worked at Welch-Cook-Beals in Cedar Rapids. She met Bob on a blind date set up by her sister and sister's boyfriend who worked at Bishop's Cafeteria with Bob, then a student at Coe College.

After moving 13 times at the whim of the U.S. Army for 2 1/2 years, Earlene lived in Cedar Rapids, Ackley and Garrison until Bob returned from the war in 1945. The family then established residence in Ackley.

Earlene has been involved in many community activities over the years. Recently, she remained an active member of the First Presbyterian Church and Chapter BN, P.E.O. Through the years, she enjoyed sewing fishing, gardening, crossword puzzles, baking, golfing, painting, needle crafts and travel. The annual Baum family reunion at Backbone State Park, where she diligently kept records of attendance and activities, has been a highlight in her life.

Earlene is survived by her daughter, Robbye (Bob) Thornton of East Amherst, N.Y.; granddaughter, Robyn (Justin) Hooper of Sandy, Utah; grandson, Robert (Leeann) Thornton of Hopewell, N.J.; great-granddaughters, Rachel and Lauren Thornton; and a sister, Charlotte Dake of Story City, Iowa.

The family requests no flowers. Memorials can be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the Presbyterian Village, both in Ackley, designated in memory of Earlene Schultz.

Visitation will be Sept. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley, with a 10:30 a.m. memorial service on the 11th at First Presbyterian Church, Ackley.