A celebration of life service for Leo H. Schulte, age 80, of Butte, Nebraska, was held at 10 a.m., Friday, July 10, 2026, at the Butte Community Bible Church in Butte with Pastor Gary Binder officiating. Military Honors by the Butte American Legion Post #51 followed the service at the church. Private inurnment will be held at a later date. Biglin’s Mortuary in Spencer handled the arrangements. Leo Henry Schulte was born to Joseph Bonaventure and Catherine Marie Schulte on April 12, 1946, at the Lynch Hospital in Lynch, Nebraska. He grew up on the family farm northwest of Spencer. Leo attended Fairfax (South Dakota) Public School and graduated from Fairfax High School in 1965. After graduation, he worked for neighboring farmers until he was drafted that fall. He served his country in the United States Army from December 1965 to December 1967. One year of his enlistment was spent in Germany. After being honorably discharged, Leo worked for two years at the Ordinance Depot in Grand Island, where they manufactured bombs. He then worked two more years in Grand Island at Swift Meat Packing Plant.
In 1973, Leo moved back to Butte and went to work for Schulte Implement as a mechanic. On September 11, 1981, Leo married the love of his life, Sherry Kay (Hupp) Kinport. To Leo, marrying Sherry was always a package deal. He stepped into the role of fatherhood without skipping a beat. Leo, Sherry, and their daughters, Penny and Heather, continued to live in Butte.
Leo worked for Butte Implement just short of 50 years. During these years, Leo trained many young men through work study. He was a highly skilled farm mechanic who was sought out by many far and wide. His work relationships with customers and coworkers formed into treasured friendships with lasting bonds. Over the years he gained grandchildren and was able to pass on much of his valuable knowledge over the hood of, or under, a tractor. Many of the grandkids remember Papa allowing them to drive something way before they should have. It was one of the many ways that he showed his confidence in his family. Leo helped neighbors by clearing driveways, mowing lawns, and repairing vehicles. He was a member of the American Legion Post #51 since 1973, serving as commander for many years.
In earlier years, Leo enjoyed attending sports activities, especially Butte High School football games where he would travel up and down the sidelines. Later in life, attending all the grandkids’ activities was a high priority. Leo was a big part of the Butte Pancake Days Tractor Pull, helping with it and pulling his old 90 Massey. He was fanatic about Husker football and volleyball; whether the play was good or bad, he would come off the couch about three feet in the air. He was always ready to help with harvest, fix a race car, visit with family on the phone, join his friends for breakfast at the Firehouse Café, and have a chat or card game at the Shortstop. He began every day with devotions and prayers and modeled how to do “life” well to all his family. He loved God and his family deeply, served others, was quick to joke, laugh, and also to forgive and turn the other cheek. His smile, big wave, and chats as he drove around Butte will never be forgotten. He never knew a stranger.
Leo passed away on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Leo is survived by Sherry Schulte, his wife of 44 years; his two daughters, Penny (Ronnie) Roth of Spencer and Heather (Roger) Imler of Albion; eight grandchildren, Joslynn (Brandon) Clark, Levi Roth and Fiancée Taya Heisinger, Kody Roth and girlfriend, Kirsten Krebs, James (Kate) Noble, Caleb Noble, Kyle (Caitlin) Noble, Melissa (Chuck) Cochrane, Justin (Liz) Imler; six greatgrandchildren; siblings, Louise (Ron) Johnson of Dubuque, Iowa, Joe (Juanita) Schulte of Butte, Lucy Hammerlun of O’Neill, and Margaret (Steve) Reiser of Pickstown, South Dakota; sisters-in-law, Mary Schulte of Spencer and Roberta Schulte of Houma, Louisiana; and many other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Anna Marie (Melvin) Moser, Herman (Judy) Schulte, John Schulte, Jerome Schulte, and George Schulte.
Memorials may be directed to the Butte American Legion Post #51.
