John Otto Schultz, the son of John K. and Elva (Danielson) Schultz, was born on August 14, 1939, on a farm near Malmo, Nebraska. He passed away on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Accura Healthcare, Shenandoah, Iowa, at the age of 87 years and 30 days.

John attended school at Malmo, graduating in 1957. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in education in 1961 from Midlands College at Fremont, Nebraska, and a master’s degree in education administration from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1970. John began his teaching career at Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska, where he started the band program. He also had the vocal program, taught sophomore English, and coached volleyball. On June 23, 1962, John was united in marriage to Grace Koerte of Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii, at Edensburg Lutheran Church in Malmo. They lived in Fremont for one year before moving to Cedar Bluffs. In 1967, they moved to Stanton, Iowa, where John became the high school and junior high vocal director, and the 5th-12th grade instrumental director. For a period of years, he was the K-12th librarian. John retired after 33 years of teaching in Stanton. He continued substituting after his retirement as well as refereeing volleyball and keeping score for basketball games. Being called “GRANDPA SCHULTZ” in his later years while subbing at Stanton was an honor to him, as he had most of their parents as students in school, too. John was a member of the Iowa High School Band Masters Association, as well as the Southwest Iowa Band Masters. John was a member of Mamrelund Lutheran Church and served as their full-time organist from 1989 until 2020. He also played taps for many veterans’ funerals. John served as the treasurer for the Stanton Historical Society and Tarkio Masonic Lodge, along with having been chairman of the Stanton Housing Commission (Halland Village) in Stanton. He was a member of Ruth Chapter #119 Order of Eastern Star at North Bend, Nebraska. During retirement, John worked with Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home assisting with funerals.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Grace on October 8, 2015.

John is survived by three children: Kathryn (Chris) Johnson of Sidney, IA, John (Lynn) Schultz of Omaha, NE, and Dawn (Dave) Dramse of Wayne, NE; six grandchildren: Abby (Chris) Wederquist of Tabor, IA, Brandon (Kami) Johnson of Sidney, IA, Kylee Schultz of Omaha, NE, Akela, Jaden, and Samuel Dramse of Papillion, NE; and six great-grandchildren: Tristyn Johnson, Haydin Johnson, Otto Wederquist, Raif Wederquist, Kora Wederquist and Lyta Wederquist; other relatives and many friends.

May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Mamrelund Lutheran Church, Stanton, Iowa.

Burial in Mamre Cemetery, Stanton.

Visitation with the family on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until service time at 10:00 a.m. at the Mamrelund Lutheran Church, Stanton, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to Mamrelund Lutheran Church, Stanton Fire & Rescue or Stanton Historical Society Endowment Fund.

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of John’s arrangements and serving his family