Donald Schutt

Donald Arthur Schutt, Sr.
MCFARLAND, WISCONSIN

Donald Arthur Schutt, Sr., age 86, of McFarland Wisconsin passed away on November 14, 2014 at the Anderson Inpatient Unit of the Agrace HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg Wisconsin. Don was born in Janesville Wisconsin on August 16, 1928; he was the son of Arthur and Elsie Schutt. Don graduated from Janesville High School in 1946. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1946 to 1950 where he earned a Bachelors of Science Degree. While attending UW-Madison, Don was an active member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and played baseball on Wisconsin's junior varsity team. Following graduation, Don enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as an aviation intelligence specialist during the Korean War (1950 to 1954). Following his service, Don returned to UW-Madison to complete his teaching credentials and start a Masters Degree in History. As a graduate student, Don researched and completed a noteworthy and often cited Master's Thesis documenting the plight of the 192nd Tank Battalion from Janesville whose servicemen were captured by the Japanese (Philippines, 1942) during World War II and ruthlessly exploited on the Bataan Death March. In 1967, Don was awarded his Master of Science Degree in History from UW-Madison.

Don met and married his wife of 52 years, Carol Ann (Tygum) Schutt, while attending UW-Madison. They were married on June 22, 1957 in Madison Wisconsin. Don and Carol purchased their first home in Racine Wisconsin, where they lived for 44 years raising their three sons. Don worked as a high school social studies teacher and coach. He initially taught and coached at Racine Washington Park High School (1956 to 1965). In 1966, Don accepted an appointment as the men's head basketball coach and social studies teacher at the newly opened Racine J.I. Case High School. Don retired in 1990 following 34 years in the classroom and on the basketball court. As head basketball coach at Racine Case, Don was truly focused on the stewardship of the student-athlete as opposed to winning at all costs. He coached some very memorable teams and brought his 1978 and 1987 basketball teams to the WIAA State Basketball Championships.

Following their retirements from teaching, Don and Carol returned to the Madison area. Don enjoyed being closer to his sons' families. Don was a quick witted, politically astute, and consummate historian in all regards who demonstrated an innate ability to recall even the minutest detail regarding world history, American history, Janesville, and Wisconsin sports lore. Don was also a connoisseur of stuffed olives, especially ones bathing in an ice filled tub of a dirty mix of Bombay Sapphire gin. Don and Carol also spent part of each year in Sun City West, Arizona. There they developed many meaningful and lasting friendships. Throughout his life, Don was a loving father, caring grandfather, and steadfast Badger and Packer fan. In his later years, his ever-present good-natured spirit and humor were infectious both among those closest to him and toward the caregivers who comforted him. Over this past year, Don was especially blessed to have had an incredibly talented physician who went above and beyond her duties to oversee his needs, to comfort him when it was most needed, and to appreciate his sense of humor. We sincerely thank her for dedication and friendship during these difficult times.

At the time of his death, he was an active member of the McFarland Lutheran Church (McFarland, Wisconsin) and the Lord of Life Lutheran Church (Sun City West, Arizona). Don was a loving, caring, and devoted son, husband, caregiver, father, grandfather, friend, historian, educator, and coach. Don's good humor, grace, and selfless devotion to Carol that he displayed in his life give us strength in his passing. Don was a true gentleman. We miss you Dad and Grandpa, but know that you continue to live on in our hearts. Forever ingrained in our minds will be your favorite farewell to your grandchildren: "Bye-bye, buy bonds."

Don is survived by his loving family; three children, Donald, Jr. (Sarah) Schutt of the Town of Pleasant Springs, Wisconsin, William (Maria) Schutt of Coronado, California, and Eric (Jody) Schutt of the Town of Dunn, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren, Sam and Ben (Donald, Jr. and Sarah), Chloe, Lydia, and Troy (William and Maria), Matthew and Maggie (Eric and Jody); one sister-in-law, Jane (Gary) Ellrod of Granby, Connecticut; and one nephew, Andrew (Nicole) Ellrod of Granby, Connecticut.

His wife Carol, his parents, and his grandson Daniel Arthur Schutt, preceded Don in death.

A visitation and memorial service will be held at the MCFARLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5529 Marsh Road, McFarland Wisconsin on Wednesday, November 26th 2014. The visitation is scheduled from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. The memorial service with Pastor Kelli Schmit presiding will follow the visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: McFarland Lutheran Church, 5529 Marsh Rd., McFarland, WI 53558, phone (608)838-3184, ( http://www.mcfarlandlutheran.org/ ); Agrace HospiceCare Center, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711, phone (608)276-4660 ( http://www.agrace.org ); or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. BOX 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, ( http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org ).