Larry Schultz

Larry Elmer Schultz, age 75, of Pequot Lakes, passed away Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at his home. He was born on a farm outside of Seward, Nebraska, on June 16, 1945 and lived on this farm until his parents, Elmer and Luella Schultz took a chance and bought a resort in central Minnesota lake county in 1956. Leaving their friends and family behind, the Schultz’s moved north and took over ownership of Tip Top Resort.

In 1963 Larry graduated from Pequot Lakes High School and began college at NDSU shortly thereafter. In 1968 he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Paints and Coatings Technology. Larry took a job at Control Data Corporation in St. Paul and worked there for a year and a half before being drafted to serve his country in the Vietnam War. He spent the next two years at Fort Meyers in Washington, D.C. serving in the Old Guard.

After being released from the service he decided to return home to Pequot Lakes instead of returning to St. Paul. Though he knew he was walking away from his career in engineering, he never regretted his choice to return to his family and the lakes and forests of central Minnesota that he loved. By that time his dad, Elmer, had started Schultz Construction and Larry took up carpentry with his dad and brothers.

In July of 1973 he proposed to Gail Butcher. Even though he had locked his keys in the car on the night he proposed to her and needed to use a hanger from the restaurant to get them out, she decided to give him a chance. They were married that winter, and one year later, when Elmer and Luella moved out of the resort house, the two newlyweds moved into Larry’s childhood home at Tip Top. Larry and Gail stayed in this house and helped run the resort until it sold in 2018. During this time, they raised two children, Aaron and Jennifer.

During the twenty years his children were in school, Larry served on the Pequot Lakes School Board, stepping down from his position on December 30, 2005.

In 2007 Schultz Construction closed and Larry started Tip Top Building and Remodeling with his son, Aaron, who continues to run the business today.

Larry loved his work and continued working as long as he possibly could. He also loved living on the Whitefish Chain and spending time with his lifelong friend, Lawson Clark. He was active in his church, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes, and in his later years he enjoyed escaping the Minnesota winters by spending time in Florida with his friend, Lawson.

Larry will be greatly missed by his wife of 45 years; his son and business partner, Aaron; his daughter, Jennifer, whose career in nursing brought him great pride; and his siblings, Ron (Jan) Schultz, Lonna Andolshek and Bruce (Taryn) Schultz. He was preceded in death by his parents and his niece, Tiffany Porter.

A small, private service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, PO Box 126, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472.