Elmer W. Schulz, 95, Washburn, died peacefully in his sleep the morning of December 7, 2016, at Good Samaritan Society, Bismarck, surrounded by family. Services will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, December 12, 2016, at United Methodist Church, 1002 John Wesley Lane, Washburn, ND. Burial will be at the German Baptist Cemetery, Washburn, in the spring.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, December 11, 2016, at Goetz Funeral Home, Washburn. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Monday.

Elmer was born March 7, 1921, to John and Wilhelmina (Raugust) Schulz on the Schulz Family Farm, Washburn. He was the youngest of seven children and was educated through the 8th grade at Washburn Public Schools. Farming and raising cattle was his passion and upon his father's retirement, he purchased the family farm and continued to farm and raise registered Hereford cattle for over 50 years.

Singing gospel/church music with his wife Jeanne was one of his favorite pastimes. During his younger years, he sang solos, duets, in quartets and choirs in Washburn churches and surrounding communities. In later years he enjoyed bowling, dancing and fishing with his daughter and son-in-law at their Minnesota lake home. Elmer was an avid card player, playing ROOK in his younger years, later transitioning to Pinochle. There are fond memories of endless Pinochle games at family Holiday gatherings! He was a respected family and Washburn community patriarch who you could see walking daily at the Washburn Memorial Hall, visiting, playing pool or Pinochle with friends at the Lewis & Clark Senior Center, Washburn, or in church every Sunday.

He is survived by his children, Barbara (Alvin) Seidel, Perham, MN; John (Diann) Schulz, Bismarck, ND; special friend, Agnes Schumacher, Bismarck, ND; three grandchildren, Jackie (Dan) Lubitz, Perham, MN, Gretchen (Lucas) Kindseth, Grand Forks, ND and Nicholas Schulz, Fargo, ND; four great-grandchildren, Silje, Aria, Wren and Kjell Kindseth, Grand Forks, ND; five step-grandchildren, Keana and Chad Schuler, Bismarck, ND, Rob Seidel, Billings, MT, Troy and Lance Seidel, Seattle, WA and three step-great-grandchildren, Jaden, Mariah and Tanaya Aaseth, Bismarck, ND.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne, his parents, three brothers, Marvin, Herbert and Arthur, and three sisters, Ruby, Esther and Violet.

Elmer enjoyed a long and fruitful life, but he will be greatly missed by family and friend alike. He will be remembered as long as they who knew him live.

Memorials can be made to the German Baptist Cemetery Association, Washburn, ND, or a charity of the donors choice.