Carl Danny "Duffy" Schulz, 74, passed away peacefully on the evening of Feb 23, 2024, at the Ogallala Community Hospital. He was a beloved husband, father, Grandpa Big Guy, brother, uncle and friend.
Dan was born on July 8, 1949 in Fairplay, CO, to Carl and Alma (Bryant) Schulz. He grew up in the Brule area and graduated from Brule High School in 1967. He attended college in Sterling, CO. He met Joyce Griffiths in high school, and the couple married on June 22, 1976, in Fredrick, MD. They welcomed a daughter, Sarah, while living in Maryland.
He worked as a food and beverage manager at a Holiday Inn on the East Coast before the couple returned to Nebraska to be closer to family. Upon returning to the Brule area, Dan was a bar owner and bartender. One of his favorite things about working in the bar business was meeting and visiting with the patrons.
He was an avid traveler, sports lover and storyteller. In his younger years, Dan was a scuba diver and small plane pilot, both hobbies that led to a variety of adventures. He was widely known for his pet pigs and his love of dachshunds, particularly Ollie who used to ride on Dan's scooters.
Dan enjoyed road trips across the U.S. with his family and plane trips to the Nevada casinos. One of his favorite places to visit was Las Vegas, where he had a multitude of friends.
Survivors include his wife Joyce of Brule; daughter, Sarah (Mike) Bockoven of Grand Island; granddaughters, Emaline Joyce Bockoven of Lincoln and Tessa Danielle Bockoven of Grand Island; sister, Judy (Gene) Dickinson of Lodgepole; brother, Todd (Courtney) Schulz of Brule; sisters-in-law, Judy Lehl of Brule, Jean (Terry) Timm of Big Springs, and Jacque Schmer of Grant; brother-in-law, Joe (Debbie) Griffiths of Charlestown, WV; numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins; and countless friends.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Alma Schulz; sister, Barbara Pankonin; brother-in-law, Don Lehl; and dear friends, Dick Stockdale and Bill Poe.
Memorial services will be at 10:00 am on March 23, 2024 at the Brule Activity Center (formerly Brule High School), 715 Oak St. Lunch to be served immediately after the service. No inurnment is planned at this time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the family for future designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is assisting the Schulz family with arrangements.