Leona Schuetz

Leona Marie (Kirst) Schuetz passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at the age of 90.  She was born January 8, 1933 to Annie K. (Steinbach) and Joseph G. Kirst on their family farm outside New Braunfels.  Her funeral arrangements are under the direction of Goetz Funeral Home in Seguin, Texas. On May 10, 2023 at St. James Catholic Church in Seguin, visitation will start at 10:00 AM, Rosary at 10:30, Funeral Mass at 11:00, with interment to follow at St. James Catholic Cemetery.

She attended the one-room Freiheit Schoolhouse. She enjoyed playing volleyball and softball. During her formative years on the family farm, she worked hard picking cotton, harvesting crops, and milking cows.  During her high school years she had her first paying job at Jacob Schmidt Clothing Store in downtown New Braunfels. She graduated from New Braunfels High School in 1950 and very soon after graduation, she began a lifelong career working for The J. C. Penney Company.  She worked many years in the original New Braunfels location at 223 W San Antonio Street.  She also worked at other Penney’s locations including Windsor Park in San Antonio and she retired from the San Marcos location on January 1, 2000 at the age of almost 67.  Through the years, she received several commendations from the Penney company for her exceptional customer service and her skills in merchandise presentation and marketing strategies.  Leona was a member and Past-President of American Legion Auxiliary Post 179 and a member of Veterans of Foreign War Auxiliary Post 7110.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, George J. and sister-in-law Evelyn Kirst, as well as John Schulze, longtime dear friend, dance partner, and Sunday-drive companion.  Also preceding her in death were her first husband, Henry J. Novotka, and her second husband, Alton Schuetz.

Leona is survived by her nephew, Carl R. (Melinda) Kirst of Lockhart, her niece Joyce L. Kirst of New Braunfels, two great-nieces Stephanie E. (Jeffrey) May of Austin and Andrea N. (Colby) Rapp of San Antonio and two great-great nephews, Rylen & Tyler Rapp.  She is also survived by John Schulze’s children, Charles Schulze, Jennafer Schulze-Cryer, and Melody Schulze-Ramirez and their respective families. And, finally, her loyal friend & renter since 1997, Patrick Sypersma, has been her “on-call handyman” for almost any task she needed done around her home or property.

Pall Bearers are Charles Schulze, David Kraft, Charles Saur, Patrick Sypersma, Jeffrey May, and Colby Rapp.  Honorary Pall Bearers are Rylen and Tyler Rapp.

Please make any donations/honoraria to St. James Catholic Church in Seguin or to Kinetic Kids at https://kinetickidstx.org/donate/ .