A longtime resident of the Carver Highlands area, Randy James Schatz, was 53, when he passed away unexpectedly from complications due to diabetes, Monday late evening, February 16, 2015 at his father’s home.
Randy’s life will be honored with a Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, February 21 at 12 (noon), with family greeting guests starting at 10:30 am, all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 104 West First Street, Jordan. Father Timothy Yanta will preside. His pall bearers will be his nephews, Brent, Frankie, Reece, Keenan, Josiah and Brandon. Randy will be laid to rest at St. John’s Calvary Cemetery, Jordan, MN. He will be honored with full military honors provided by the Jordan Vets Honor Guard.
On July 29, 1961, in Sacramento, CA, Randy was born the first of seven children to parents, Francis and Barbara (Feist) Schatz. He spent his four years in California, before the family moved to Minnesota, where Randy lived out his remaining years in Carver. From a young boy and throughout his life, he was a quiet, shy and a simple individual. He loved being around people and always found the good in them.
In the earlier years, Randy, along with siblings or friends, enjoyed pulling an old wash tub and pitch fork down to the Minnesota River to go spear fishing for carp. They’d pull the days catch back home in the wash tub, where his dad would prepare them and everyone would enjoy the feast. During Randy’s high school years, he spent summers caddying at Hazeltine Golf Course and playing football in the fall. Randy graduated from Chaska High School in 1979.
In 1980, Randy served his country proudly in the United States Air Force until 1984. As an electronic tech, he was able to travel all over the world. Randy was even fortunate enough to be able to partake in some of the local attractions. Like salmon fishing and moose hunting in Alaska and touring the sights of Europe and Germany. Returning from the service, Randy went to Hennepin Tech to learn the craft as an electrician. For most of his career, Randy worked for Integris in electronic manufacturing.
A true movie buff, Randy enjoyed attending all kinds of movies, with sci-fi being his favorite to watch. He too had an extensive movie collection at home that he either bought or recorded. It was his family which was most important to him. Randy’s nieces and nephews meant the world to him. He relished spending time with each one, and catching up on the events of their life. Randy made sure his nieces and nephews were acknowledge at their birthdays and holidays, by a personal card sent by him.
God saw Randy’s work completed on earth and called him home. Now left to honor Randy’s life and mourn the death is his father, Francis; siblings, Annette Schatz, Kim (David) Gelhaye, Mike (Tami) Schatz, Lisa (Bob) Lindquist, Jill (Rory) Cruser, Pat (Lisa) Schatz; grandma, Julia Schatz; nieces, Heidi Schatz, Kelli Schatz, Savanna Schatz, Olivia Schatz, Chole Gelhaye, Emma Schatz; nephews, Brent Schatz, Frankie Cruser, Reece Lindquist, Keenan Lindquist, Josiah Schatz, Brandon Gelhaye; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Randy home is his mother, Barbara (March 3, 2012), grandparents, Roy Schatz, Mike and Elizabeth Feist.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Jordan Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Schatz family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
