Larry P. Schulz

Larry’s service will be livestreamed below starting 7:00 PM Thursday July 31, 2025 and 10:30 AM Friday August 1, 2025.

Larry Schulz, 78, Fargo, ND, and Sun City, AZ., formerly of Mandan, ND, died Monday, July 21, 2025, surrounded by family in his home after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Larry Peter Schulz was born Dec. 26, 1946, to Peter and Ann (Schmidt) Schulz in Dickinson, ND, and was the oldest of 10 children. Their family lived on a farm near New England, ND.

He attended St. Mary’s Catholic school helping reinforce the strong faith that he was taught at home and carried through his entire life. After graduating in 1964, that faith guided him to consider entering the priesthood and he enrolled in seminary for one quarter before returning to the farm.

In the fall of 1965, he began attending North Dakota State University in Fargo, pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering.
While attending NDSU, he met Dixie Hildebrant through a mutual friend. She teasingly proposed to him on their first date, and despite his shock that night, they fell in love. Three years later, after both had graduated from NDSU, the two were married in Golva, ND, on August 30, 1969, beginning a nearly 56-year marriage.

Larry was hired by General Electric before college graduation and the job took him and Dixie to several locations on the East Coast in their early years of marriage. They lived and worked in Owensboro, KY; Danvers, MA; Erie, PA, and Schenectady, NY, making lifelong friends along the way.

While living in Schenectady, Larry and Dixie welcomed their first daughter, Erin. About a year later, Larry decided the family should return to North Dakota and they did so in 1975 after he accepted a position at Basin Electric Power Cooperative in Bismarck.
They resided for a short time in Apple Valley, ND, and, after welcoming their second daughter, Kember, moved to an 8-acre hobby farm south of Mandan, ND, where they also welcomed their son, Ryan, and made their home for 35 years.

Larry was an active member of Christ the King Church and the attached school, where his children attended. He served on the parish board, volunteered frequently and was part of the Knights of Columbus group there, rising to the role of Grand Knight at one point.
Larry retired from Basin Electric in 2004 and Dixie several years later. In retirement, they enjoyed road trips in the US as well trips abroad to the UK, Europe and Mexico. With the arrival of grandchildren, Fargo-Moorhead became a frequent destination to spend time with all of them.

In 2010, Larry and Dixie purchased a home in Sun City, AZ, and began spending their winters there. They enjoyed volunteering, making new friends and joining hobby groups.

In December 2010, they lost their son, Ryan, in an accident. The devastating loss prompted them to sell their home near Mandan and in 2011 they moved to Fargo to be close to their daughters’ families. They poured their time and love into their family and developed exceptionally close relationships with their grandchildren, attending every concert, sporting event and Scouting celebration that they were able. They also found the friendship of wonderful neighbors and those they attended church with in Fargo.

Larry had a brilliant mind, a hard work ethic, and an exceptionally strong faith – all of which he generously shared with friends, family and acquaintances. He wasn’t one to sit still for long. He was frugal with his money, but generous with his time. He could fix everything from small appliances to vehicles, plumbing and electrical. He remodeled the homes he and Dixie lived in, helped family members with their house projects and put extensive hours into remodeling his daughters’ homes and even his grandson’s first house. He built furniture and in his later years turned his creativity toward wood turning, creating beautiful bowls that he shared with loved ones.

During his years in Mandan, he planted and tended hundreds of trees around the acreage and there were fresh fruits and berries every summer. His garden was bountiful, providing vegetables that Dixie canned and froze for meals all year round. He was meticulous in nearly everything he did. If you wanted something done quickly, you did it yourself. If you wanted it done perfectly, you asked Larry for help. His home was well-maintained and his yard was always beautiful.

While he held several titles through his life, his most cherished was that of “Papa.” He and Dixie poured their time and love into their grandchildren, especially after moving to Fargo and his grandchildren returned that love. His family pulled tight in the 8 short weeks of his illness and tended him during his final days. He had a good sense of humor and hearty laugh, with blue eyes that twinkled when he was amused by something. He wasn’t afraid to be silly, making up funny lyrics to songs when his kids were young, doing a “cool walk” with his niece and nephew, or leading a “flag-raising” parade playing a lively Souza march on kazoo with young family members. His family has wonderful memories to keep in their hearts for years to come.

He and Dixie showed those around them what a strong marriage built on faith, love and mutual respect looked like. They cared deeply for each other, even when dealing with frustrations or heartbreaking losses. Their love continues to be an inspiration to those who love them most.

Larry was preceded in death by his son, Ryan; his parents, Pete and Ann Schulz; parents-in-law Marion and George Hildebrant; sister-in-law Yvonne Hildebrant; nieces Amie and Sondra Hildebrant, Justine Shaw, Rachel Mueller; and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.

He is survived and mourned by his wife, Dixie; his daughters Erin (Brian) Crommett and Kember (Nathan) Anderson; his grandchildren Gabriel and Nicholas Crommett, and Emilee and Zackary Anderson; his siblings Jim (Marjean) Schulz, Duane (Debbie) Schulz, Reyne (Dave) Fisher, Janel (Dan) Forney, Donna (Dennis) Stith, Lorie (John) McAnelly, Rodney (Lisa) Schulz, Rita (Don) Shaw, and Peggy (Arvon) Heidt; brother-in-law Robert Hildebrant; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.