Margaret Jean “Marge” (Carroll) Schultz was born in East St. Louis, IL on August 11, 1925, to William Brown Carroll and Clara (Koebel) Carroll. She grew up in Chicago’s Cottage Grove area and moved to Forest Park, IL, a suburb of Chicago, at age four. There, she graduated from Grant White School (8th grade) and Proviso Township High School (12th grade). In 1943, she enrolled at Iowa State College in Ames, IA as a dietetics major, based on advice from her father; she later switched to sociology and economics. She became a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority, lived at the sorority house, and performed Children’s Playhouse plays on campus radio station WOI, including Peter Pan and The Wizard of Oz. During one WWII summer, she worked in Final Inspection at the Amertorp torpedo factory (Naval Ordnance Station) in Forest Park, IL, where her mother worked full-time for two years.

    In 1945, Marge was introduced to Ronald Schultz on a blind date at Iowa State. They soon fell in love and were married in Oak Park, IL on January 4, 1947. They enjoyed 64 years together until Ron’s passing in 2011. During their first years of marriage, they lived with Ron’s parents, George and Hilda Schultz, on their farm north of Melvin, IA, and then built a home on the same property. Marge became an avid reader of Wallace’s Farmer, Farm Journal, and Farmer’s Wife while receiving numerous lessons about farm life from Hilda, George, and Ron. She also joined the Melvin American Lutheran Church, having attended the Methodist church in her youth.

    Marge and Ron raised three sons on the Schultz farm: Michael, Jeffrey, and Scott. Each son developed his own interests and training that ultimately led to full-time farming careers. Ron and Marge lived on the Schultz farm for 50 years, managing a grain and livestock operation, specializing in cattle, hogs, corn, and soybeans, along with their son, Jeff, and grandson, Ty, moving to Melvin in 1997. They received the Century Farm honor at the Iowa State Fair in 2001. Marge and Ron also contributed many hours of conversation, support, and planning to their pioneering sons, Mike and Scott, who established Schultz Farms, Inc. in Delta Junction, AK in 1982. They enjoyed many adventurous trips to Alaska and around the United States.

    Marge began her career as a lifelong educator in 1947 when she was hired as a typing instructor at Melvin Consolidated School. She earned her teaching certification and bachelor’s degree in 1963 from Westmar College in Le Mars, IA. As a full-time teacher, she taught subjects ranging from Junior High mathematics to Title 1 Reading at Melvin, Ocheyedan, and Sanborn, IA schools. In 2000, she was recognized for 15 years of teaching adults recovering from traumatic brain injuries at Village Northwest Unlimited, a role she often called the “favorite part of her career”. In 2018, she received the honor of Sigma Kappa Diamond Circle for 75 years of membership.

    Marge enjoyed participating in the Melvin American Lutheran Church Council, ALCW Circle, the Melvin American Legion Auxiliary Post 470, Melvin’s Red Hat Society, quilting, bridge games, and hosting gatherings for friends and family. Based on her faith and her many years of teaching experiences, Marge was known to say, “Love everyone,” and “Love unconditionally.” She especially loved the openness and beauty of the prairie skies and conversations with her sons, daughters-in-law, and her many grandchildren. She celebrated her 100th birthday on August 11, 2025, surrounded by family and friends.   

    She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ronald; and two infant grandsons.

    She is survived by three sons and their families, including 9 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren: Michael and Sandra Schultz of Delta Junction, AK and their sons: Andrew (Jessica) Schultz of Fairbanks, AK, parents of Aiden and Terralyn, and Benjamin (Staci) Schultz of Monroe, WA, parents of Vivian and Bowen. Jeffrey and Darcy Schultz of Melvin, IA and their children: Lia Schultz (Tyrone Halfhill) of Briny Breezes, FL, parents of Tytan and Thorian, Ty (Kari) Schultz of Melvin, IA, parents of Lisa Sheldon, mother of Tate and Rielly, and Jacob (Patricia) Schultz, parents of Sophia, and Kindra (Clint) Reiter of Sibley, IA and their children: Ashton (Frances) Reiter, parents of Hollis, Lily (Jared) Kannegieter, parents of Meredith, Ella Reiter and Cale Reiter. Scott and Diana Schultz of Delta Junction, AK and their children: DayLa Leffel of Palmer, AK, mother of Mason and Ryan, Michael Schultz (Elisabeth Dempsey) of Delta Junction, AK, John Schultz of Fairbanks, AK, father of William, Gavin, and Chloe, and Krysta Schultz (Ray Ellis) of CO, mother of Jaliyah.