Obituary for Duane "Sandy" Schott

Duane Robert "Sandy" Schott was born October 29, 1933, at home, to Fred and Ruth (Entwisle) Schott. He died at home with family and hospice support on December, 4, 2010. Growing up during the years of the Great Depression and World War II, he learned to make do with what was at hand and take care of what he had. He started doing chores and driving horses as a young boy and carried this love of the land and the big horses throughout his life. He attended rural school in the Hawkeye and West Union school districts. On April 17, 1955, he married, Joyce Bennett, the neighbor girl from down the road. They started farming on Joyce''s family farm outside of Clermont and later farmed in both the Elgin and West Union areas, before retiring to Clermont in 2000. Sandy enjoyed being a farmer and continued to help area farmers after retiring to Clermont. He was active in several horse-related organizations throughout his life including the Pony Express, Pleasant Ridge Driving Club and was a 30-year member of the Iowa-Minnesota State Line Plowing Association. Although he enjoyed these organizations and their events, his favorite thing to do was to take a team and haul manure, plow, cultivate corn, mow and rake hay or any other myriad of tasks on his own farm. He is remembered as having a long-time relationship with Falb Implement and their “red” International farm equipment and restored many horse drawn farm implements over the years. He also enjoyed playing cards, coffee with Del and Brad and the hog buying station crew, the C-Store coffee club, and reminiscing with friends and family. He took great pride in his children and grandchildren and served as a role model to them to stand up for what you believe, to work hard and be proud of that work, and to be accountable to your word. Several children outside of his family had adopted him as their grandpa over the years. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Dennis and Michael; three brothers, Marvin, Lawrence, and Arthur; his beloved sister, Jane; and sister-in-law Dora Schott. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Joyce; daughter, Debra (Jerald) Kelly of Clermont; son, Kenneth (Angela) of Keswick; daughter, Lynette (Lynn) Telleen of Waverly; daughter-in-law, Lanette, Euless, Texas; brothers, Willis (Shelvy) Schott and Garry (Carolyn) Schott; sister-in-laws, Doris and Marilyn Schott, and brother-in-law, Ernie Helgerson; grandchildren: Jennifer (Scott) Goeken; Heather (Andy) Babcock; John (Kristen) Kelly; Michael (Heidi) Schott; Jane (Ryan) Cline ; Christina (Mark) Ritscher; Brittany Maxwell; Seth Maxwell; Rachel Schott; Maggie Maxwell; Kaitlin Martinson; and Hunter Telleen; 11 great-grandchildren: Morgan Martin; Dylan Schott; Isaac & Helen Goeken; Cash & Beckett Cline; Kate, Klara & Kora Kelly; Tristan Babcock; Mackenna Ritscher; in-laws: JoAnn, John, and Jane Bennett; many nieces, nephews and friends. The family wishes to acknowledge those that provided support during Sandy’s illness, especially those that brought their continued fellowship and Faith example to him during these last few months. A memorial service will be held at Saturday December 11, 2010 1:30 p.m. at the Clermont Community Center, Clermont, Iowa, with visitation and lunch following from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.