Elaine K. Schultz

Obituary's Biography:

Elaine Kathleen Smith Schultz, 90 passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Library Lane Senior Apartments in Grayslake, IL surrounded by her daughter, son, and daughter-in-law.  She was born January 13, 1934 to Oden Weaver and Louise (nee: Stewart) Smith.

She was known as Kathleen, Kate, and Katie.

Kate is survived by her children Kurt (Jessica) Schultz of Seattle, WA, Brett (Joan) Schultz of Grayslake, IL, and Heidi Schultz of Lindenhurst, IL, her grandchildren Lauren (Vince) Perovic of Healdsburg, CA, and Corinne Schultz of Arlington Heights, IL.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Oden Smith, and her sisters Marilyn Carlisle and Florence Flanagan.

Born and raised in Illinois, she spoke often of her great affection for her Mother, Daddy, brother Oden (Odie) and two sisters, Marilyn, and Florence.  Her fond family memories stretch from infatuation with “Hollywood” and the movies, to going on day and weekend trips to lakes and forest preserves to picnic and swim.

Kate graduated from York High School in 1951.  She married her high school sweetheart, Jack Schultz on April 12, 1953, taking a brief leave from the Korean war.

Kate made a lovely home in Lombard and enjoyed being a mother. She was engaged with their school activities, piano and drum lessons, cub scouts, boy scouts, brownies, girl scouts, and park district baseball leagues.  She sewed costumes for Heidi’s ballet and tap dance recitals, and even sewed her own costumes for the annual music competitions with her local Sweet Adelines barbershop harmony and a cappella chorus.  She loved music of all genres and was quick to join in the fun to go listen to the local band “Mad Fox” in the mid- late 70’s with two of her dear bus driver girlfriends and several other bus driver friends- a couple of whom actually performed in the band.

Kate loved to encourage others, had a great laugh and was playful with a quick wit and joyous sense of adventure.   The family spent most holidays and vacations traveling from Lombard up to Crystal Falls, MI to be in the great north woods from 1962 until she finally moved in 1981 to make Crystal Falls her permanent home.   She was a kind and independent, strong woman.  For 36 years she drove down several times each year to visit Brett’s family in Illinois.  Kate adored her two granddaughters Lauren and Corinne very much.  She also traveled to spend time with Heidi in Southern California and Kurt in the Seattle area.

Kate was a dedicated, hard worker all of her life in roles as an administrative assistant, school bus driver, assembly technician, eventually retiring as a custodian from the Forest Parks Schools in 1999.  She later worked again at the deli of “The Jubilee” in town (Crystal Falls.)  Katie loved being with her friends- out of doors at the parks and lakes or playing cards and watching Packer games, laughing, or singing Karaoke.  She enjoyed the parades and festivities of the local community, even performing in multiple Annual Variety shows at the Crystal Theatre.  Her friends knew her as “a ray of sunshine, never judging others and always willing to go with the flow!” 

Katie achieved her dream of having a log cabin built to live in.  She became an avid deer hunter.  Katie held a profound appreciation for nature – embracing all of its glory from her cozy log cabin and spoke often of experiencing amazing sunrises, sunsets, and the northern lights.  She witnessed Haley’s comet vividly with her naked eye.  She loved the peace and solitude of her property, hiking with her dogs Thor and Orion through the pine and cedar forests, over the streams and meadows.  She fed many deer and wild turkey in the fall and winter months, and loved watching the birds, owls, hawks and eagles from her deck or dining room window all year long.  One of her favorite cabin life memories was when she had the unique pleasure to joyfully watch a mother black bear and her 3 cubs frolic and play in her yard as mama bear then stood on her hind legs to eat from the choke cherry tree and feed some to her cubs.

Kate had a very strong faith in the Lord throughout her life and was a member of Faith Fellowship Bible Church in Crystal Falls, MI.

A memorial visitation and service is scheduled for June 23, 2024 at Independence Grove Forest Preserve Visitor Center Bldg. 16400 W. Buckley Rd. Libertyville, IL 60048. The visitation will be held from 11am until 12:30pm when a memorial service and time of sharing will be begin. A social gathering will follow the memorial service from 1:15pm until 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the “Memorial Garden” at Kate’s church:  Faith Fellowship Bible Church, 1314 Old US Hwy 2, Crystal Falls, MI 49920.

All funeral arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.  For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122.