Theodore John Schulze

Funeral service for Theodore Schulze will be held 2:00 pm, Friday, December 15, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Chelsea, with Pastor Richard Billings officiating. Burial will follow at Chelsea Cemetery. Visitation will be at Chelsea Funeral Home and Crematory on Thursday, December 14, from 1-8 pm, with family receiving friends from 6-8 pm. Ted passed away on December 10, 2017 at his home in Chelsea at the age of 83.
The son of Emil and Selma Radke Schulze was born at home in rural Chelsea on April 5, 1934. There he was raised on the family farm, along with his 9 siblings. He attended Bethlehem Lutheran School until he became old enough to work. He then began working for Virgil Garner, moving houses. For a number of years, he moved houses out of what was going to become Oologah Lake. He even helped move and rebuild Will Rogers’ home to its current location. However in 1956, Ted was called to serve his country. He served proudly until being discharged in 1958. Upon his return home, he took a job driving a truck for Hoover Mizer. This job not only provided him with an income, but also introduced him to another employee, Frances Gagan. A short time later, they would begin dating, and on July 15, 1960, they married. Over the next several years, Ted worked a few other jobs. He became an excellent carpenter, building homes and commercial buildings all over the country. He even put in swimming pools for several area people. However, his favorite job of all was one where he volunteered. From 1975 to 1995, Ted volunteered as a Chelsea fire fighter. His family remembers numerous times that he dropped everything to help one of his fellow residents. It inspired his children so much that some of them followed in his footsteps. Even after his retirement, it wasn't uncommon for him to show up on a scene and share his knowledge.
In his spare time, he had many hobbies and past times that he enjoyed. He loved working puzzles. Often his family would find him sitting on the porch working crosswords or word searches. In the spring, his garden took precedence. Then there were the summer fire fighter softball games. He enjoyed watching the Thunder, OU, and OSU. However, his favorite thing of all was spending time with his family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Selma Schulze; siblings, Gary, Albert, Ernest, Norman, Clarence and Lillian Schulze,
Survivors include his wife, Frances; children, Janis Schulze-Hostetler, Mike Schulze, Keith Schulze and wife Arvella, and Tim Schulze; grandchildren, Ashely, Corey, Jeremy, Teddy, Mark, Rashad, Raveen, Fosca, DeaAundra, and Honesty; great-grandchildren, Paislee, Brylea, Regan, Adarius, Aspen, Paige, Haiden and Blakely; brother, Edwin Schulze; sisters, Bernice Walker and husband Johnny, Margaret Sutton, and Pearl Harper, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

View and sign Ted's online memorial at www.mmsfuneralhomes