M. Leone (Voelker) Schultz left her earthly home on June 8, 2023, at 7:20 p.m. while living at the Good Samaritan Home in Miller, SD. By her side was her beloved Deb.  Leone spent 97 years, 6 months, and 8 days finding the Blessings every day and praying for another day.

   Her services will take place at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield, SD, on Tuesday, June 13.  Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., followed by her funeral service at 4:00 p.m.  Fr. Ron Huberty will preside.  Burial will take place at St. John’s Cemetery in rural Tulare, SD, at a later date.

   The funeral service will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website under Leone’s obituary.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home (www.hykefuneralhome.com). 

   In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully requests memorials directed to the “M Project,” which benefits the homeless in South Dakota.  Please forward to Deb Schultz – 37592 188th Street – Tulare, SD – 57476.

   Leone was born on September 28, 1925, to William and Stella "Pearl" (Hickcox) Voelker at home, the second youngest of 11 children.  Leone attended Ree Heights High School in Ree Heights, SD, graduating in 1943.  She loved being a member of Ree Heights Congregational Church and being in the choir.

   Leone received her teaching degree from Huron College in Huron, SD, and taught for a few years in Hand and Spink County rural one-room schools, including Buffalo Township. 

   On June 25, 1947, she became the bride of Marvin Charles Schultz.  They made their home, once known as the Sadie Gardner place, where Leone lived for 67 years.  Due to flooding in 2011, she was forced out of her home to the Tulare Apartments, where she lived until 2021 when she returned to her roots in Miller. 

Leone had many self-taught talents, which included cooking, baking, and sewing, and she sewed for many.  Her special cakes were enjoyed by many for their special events.  She loved crafts and made cabbage patch dolls and afghans for her grandchildren. 

   Leone spent 60 years in church choirs at St. John’s and Tulare United Churches, along with teaching and women’s guild.  She enjoyed all her friends of the Happy Hour Social and Birthday Club, which was a must!!  Leone was also a proud member of the Eastern Star Oasis Chapter #148. 

   Her greatest joys were her faith, family, serving others through 4-H, and working in the Buffalo Café helping Deb, baking banana breads, apple pies, and cookies.  Being that faithful servant, she cared for her husband at home until his death.  He was her love of 60 years.

   Leone is survived by: Rochelle Schultz and Valerie Flynn, granddaughters by her oldest (deceased) son Terry Schultz, his spouse Becky and her children: Rachel, Sarah, and Ryan; her son Randy and Shirley Schultz and their children: Mike and Holly; son Tom and Deb Schultz and their children: April, Ronnie, and John; son Kevin Schultz; and son Todd and Rebecca Schultz and their children: Katie, Kiefer, and Kenna Leone.  She is also survived by her special loves, great-grandchildren; special nieces and nephews; friend Fr. Ron Huberty; and those who allowed her to stay independent: Roger Crandall; Kelli and Marc Roeber; Rod Woodward; Mary Mohling; and a special love, her “Robin” Buchholz.

   Marvin, in 2006, precedes her in death, as does her son Terry in 2019.  Her parents; brothers:  George, Wilmer, Marion, Raymond, and Lavern; sisters:  Stella, Isabelle, and Inez; and twins Evelyn and Ernest also precede her in death.