Leo H. Schulte

Butte — Leo Henry Schulte, 80, of Butte, died Saturday, July 4, 2026 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Visitation was held Friday, July 10, 2026 at the Butte Community Bible Church in Butte.

Funeral services were held Friday, July 10, 2026 at the church in Butte. Pastor Gary Binder officiated. Military honors were provided by the Butte American Legion Post 51.

A private burial will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Butte American Legion Post 51 in Leo's name.

Biglin's Mortuary in Spencer was in charge of the arrangements.

Leo was born to Joseph Bonaventure Schulte and Catherine Marie Schulte on April 12, 1946 at the Lynch Hospital in Lynch. He grew up on the family farm northwest of Spencer. Leo attended Fairfax Public School and graduated from Fairfax High in 1965. After graduation, he worked for the neighboring farmers until he was drafted that fall.  

He served his country in the United States Army from December 1965 to December 1967. One year of his enlistment was spent in Germany. After being honorably discharged from the US Army, Leo worked for two years at the Ordinance Depot in Grand Island, where they manufactured bombs. He then worked for two more years in Grand Island at Swift Meat Packing Plant.

In 1973 he moved back to Butte and went to work for Schulte Implement as a mechanic.  

On Sept. 11, 1981 Leo married the love of his life Sherry Kay (Hupp) Kinport. To Leo, marrying Sherry was always a package deal. He stepped into the role of fatherhood without skipping a beat. Leo, Sherry and their daughters Penny and Heather, continued to live in Butte. 

Leo worked for Butte Implement just short of 50 years. During these years, Leo trained many young men through work study. Leo was a highly skilled farm mechanic who was sought out by many far and wide. His work relationships with customers and coworkers formed into treasured friendships with lasting bonds. Over the years he gained grandchildren and was able to pass on much of his valuable knowledge over the hood or under a tractor. Many of the grandkids remember Papa allowing them to drive something way before they should have. It was one of the many ways that he showed his confidence in his family. Leo helped many neighbors by clearing driveways, mowing lawns and repairing vehicles.  

Leo was a member of the American Legion Post #51 since 1973, serving as commander for many years.

In earlier years, Leo enjoyed attending sports activities at Butte High School. Penny and Heather can still hear his big voice cheering over the crowd. He especially loved to attend the football games and travel up and down the sidelines. Later in life he loved attending all the grandkids' activities. 

Leo was a big part of the Butte Pancake Days Tractor Pull. He loved to help and pull his old 90 Massey. Leo loved Husker football and volleyball. Whether the play was good or bad, he would come off the couch about three feet in the air.  

He was always ready to help with harvest, fix a racecar, visit with family on the phone, join his friends for breakfast at the Firehouse Café and have a chat or card game at the Shortstop. He began every day with devotions and prayers and modeled how to do “life” so well to all his family. He loved God and his family deeply, served others, was quick to joke, laugh and also to forgive and turn the other cheek. His smile, big wave and chats as he drove around Butte will never be forgotten. He never knew a stranger.

Leo is survived by his wife of 44 years Sherry Schulte of Butte; his two daughters Penny (Ronnie) Roth of Spencer and Heather (Roger) Imler of Albion; eight grandchildren Joslynn (Brandon) Clark, Levi Roth (fiancé Taya Heisinger), Kody Roth (girlfriend Kirsten Krebs), James (Kate) Noble, Caleb Noble, Kyle (Caitlin) Noble, Melissa (Chuck) Cochrane and Justin (Liz) Imler; six great-grandchildren Harley Clark, Cayden Clark, Margie Roth, Briggs Noble, Norah Noble, Ella Cochrane, andDeclan Cochrane; four siblings Louise (Ron) Johnson of Dubuque, Iowa, Joe (Juanita) Schulte of Butte, Lucy Hammerlun of O'Neill and Margaret (Steve) Reiser of Pickstown, SD; two sisters in-law Mary Schulte of Spencer and Roberta Schulte of Houma, LA; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings Anna Marie (Melvin) Moser, Herman (Judy) Schulte, John Schulte, Jerome Schulte and George Schulte.