Leland “Gunny” Schulze

Leland “Gunny” Fremont Schulze, 90, of Brownsville, MN passed away, Saturday, March 31, 2018 at Springbrook Village of La Crescent, MN. Funeral services were held Thursday, April 5 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Caledonia, MN with Rev. Steven E. Meyer officiating. Entombment was in the mausoleum at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery in La Crosse, WI with military honors by the Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52 of La Crosse and the United States Army Funeral Honor Guard.

He was born March 6, 1928 in Caledonia, MN to Fremont and Hannah (Schroeder) Schulze. Leland married Dorothy Nielsen February 3, 1951 and to this union five children were born.

He served in the United States Army from 1950 until 1952. Leland was stationed overseas in Japan for one year and was a heavy equipment instructor in the Army. He was the owner of three construction companies, Hector Construction, Cooney Construction, and SEMT Company until his retirement in 1986. December 12, 1986, Leland married Anne Esch.

He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Caledonia, MN, where he served on the church council. Leland was a member of the Loveless-Eikens American Legion Post 191 of Caledonia, MN and also the Caledonia VFW Post 3833, where he served as past commander. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and private pilot. Leland traveled extensively during his retirement and has visited all 50 states.

Survivors include two sons, Michael of Spring Grove, MN and Allen (Donna) of Caledonia, MN; one daughter, Debbie Houdek of Caledonia, MN; three step-daughters, Susan (Jerry) Scanlan of Goodhue, MN, Cathy Foellmi (Jeff Crandall) of Brownsville, MN and Judy (Joe) Macejik of Brownsville, MN; two step-sons, Terry (Diana) Esch of Amarillo, TX and Frederick Esch (Sherry Stinson) of Waldorf, MD; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; one brother, Gene Schulze; and one sister-in-law, Joanne Schulze.

Leland was preceded in death by his wife, Anne; his parents; two infant daughters, Mary and Susan; a daughter-in-law, Paula Schulze; a son-in-law, Lyle Houdek; a step-granddaughter, Jenna Foellmi; a sister, Elaine (Paul) Wilhelm; a brother, Garland; and a sister-in-law, Rita Schulze.

The family would like to thank Springbrook Village of La Crescent, MN for their care of Leland.

Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Caledonia Chapel assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.jandtfredrickson.com.