Leo Schatz

Leo Schatz, 84, of Aberdeen, passed away Monday, January 13, 2020, at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 18, 2020, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 409 3rd Avenue SE, Aberdeen, with Father Patrick Grode, Celebrant and Father David Janes con-celebrating.

A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow the Mass at Schriver’s Memorial Fellowship Center.

Burial, with military rites, will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery at a later date.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, at the mortuary, with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. and a liturgical wake service beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour prior to Mass at the church on Saturday.

Family and friends may sign Leo’s online guestbook and also view his service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Leo Schatz was born February 16, 1935, to Kasper and Eva (Gross) Schatz in Zeeland, ND.  This is the area where he was raised and attended school.  Following graduation from Zeeland High School, Leo moved to Aberdeen and began working for the railroad.

Leo entered the United States Navy on November 3, 1955 and served his country until August 2, 1957.  Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Aberdeen and continued his work with the railroad.

Leo was united in marriage to Catherine “Cathy” Alice Miller on November 24, 1958, in Bismarck, ND.  The couple made their home in Aberdeen and were blessed with six children.  In 1971, Leo began working in the insurance industry and in 1978 made insurance his full-time career.  Following a very successful, 30-year career, Leo made the decision to retire in 2008.  He and Cathy shared 60 years of marriage before she passed away on June 20, 2019.  Leo continued to make Aberdeen his home until the time of his death. 

Leo was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen, where he served as an usher and lector for many years and was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.  He was also active in Kiwanis and enjoyed volunteering his time as a member of The Friendship Singers.  

Leo enjoyed music, traveling, and above all, spending time with his family.

Blessed to have shared in Leo’s life are his children:  Bob Schatz of Aberdeen, Greg (Deborah) Schatz of Columbia Falls, MT, Don Schatz of Aberdeen, Randy (Tammy) Schatz of Moorhead, MN and Sandra Schatz of Killeen, TX; seven grandchildren:  Myssi Joulfs, Thom Schatz, Eryn (James) Dockter, Dustine (Jesse) Fuher, Denae (Michael) Clobes, James Schatz and Ryan Schatz; one great-grandchild, Destiny Fuher; three brothers:  Uncle Matt of Pierre, SD, Joseph (Julie) Schatz of Mandan, ND and Thomas (Joann) Schatz of Bristol, VA; and four sisters:  Ida Engelhart of Rapid City, SD, Angela Mastel of Ellendale, ND, Barbara Zacher of Fargo, ND and Marianne (Walter) Brandner of Dell Rapids, SD.

Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine; his daughter, Bonnie; and his parents, Kasper and Eva.

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