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JoNeil Schultz, age 89, of Ulen, MN, passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the Viking Manor Nursing Home in Ulen, MN, under the care of HIA Hospice.

JoNeil Arden Schultz was born at home on July 8, 1936, the son of John and Ordella (Holte) Schultz.  He grew up helping around the family farm and attended public school in Ulen.  Following his high school graduation in 1954 from Ulen High School, JoNeil entered the US Army.  He proudly served from 1955 until 1958.  After his honorable discharge he returned to the Ulen-Hitterdal area.  On June 20, 1959, JoNeil was united in marriage to Rubye Hansen at Salem Lutheran Church in Hitterdal, MN.  The young couple made their home in Hitterdal until 1963 when they moved to Ulen.  They were blessed with two daughters, Lonni and Pamela.  Over the years, JoNeil worked doing road maintenance for Clay County Highway Department, until his retirement in the late 1990's.  Rubye passed away in 2013 and JoNeil continued to live in their home until moving to assisted living in 2023 and then to the nursing home in May of 2025.

JoNeil was a member of the Ulen Fire Department from 1967 to 1988.  For several years, he was a leading member of the "pit master" crew in charge of cooking the turkeys for Ulen Turkey BBQ. He was also an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and served as head usher for many years.

JoNeil was generous, caring, and enjoyed being around his close friends and family whenever possible.  He and Rubye liked to travel which included trips to China, Thailand and Spain. They also made memorable trips to Florida with their grandkids.  Above all, JoNeil loved all his family with his pride and joy being his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He also truly enjoyed the outdoors, with his main activities being hunting and fishing.  JoNeil treasured time spent with family at their cabin on Strawberry Lake, teaching the grandkids how to bait a hook and remove the fish and playing cards, competitively but always fair.  Countless hours were also spent fishing with his dear friend, Lonnie Anderson.  The two of them participated the Cedar Crest Classic Fishing tournament on White Earth Lake every year since it began and were able to reel in first place in 2006.

JoNeil is survived by daughters, Lonni Schultz (Richard McLain) of Livonia, MI and Pam (Ronald) Zimmerman of Dilworth, MN; and four grandchildren: Zachary (Danielle) Zimmerman and Alison Zimmerman, Mary McLain and Emily McLain; and four great-grandchildren: Trey Zimmerman, Kaion Williams-Zimmerman, Mera Zimmerman and Celia Zimmerman; brother, Ken (Ione) Schultz of Ulen; twin sister, JoAnn Rinke of Dilworth, MN; brother-in-law, Jack (Sylvia) Hansen of Hillsboro, ND; sister-in-law, Orpha Schultz of Ulen, MN, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rubye; brother, Gene; and special friend, Lonnie Anderson.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 11:00am, with a visitation starting one hour before at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen. Inurnment will take place at North Bethlehem Cemetery in Ulen.

Memorials preferred to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen or HIA Hospice, formerly Hospice of the Red River Valley.