Ann Schulz passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m., Friday, January 30, 2026 at St. Lawrence Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Schott. Music will be by Kathy Halbur. Lectors for the Funeral Mass will be Steve Schulz and Steve Anderson. Gift Bearers will be Ann’s grandchildren. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.
A visitation will be held from 1-1:45 p.m. on Friday at the church prior to the Funeral Mass. Memorials may be left at the church for St. Anthony Foundation or use the following link to make an online donation: https://www.stanthonyhospital.org/about-us/support-us/donate-online/
Following the burial please join Ann’s family at the Sharp Center for hors d’oeuvres and a cocktail reception.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Ann’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Ann Schulz was born on February 5, 1931, in Carroll, Iowa. She died at St. Anthony Hospital of complications from pneumonia. The daughter of Anthony (A.J.) and Mary Waters, Ann grew up in Carroll. Tragically, her mother Mary died when Ann was only nine years old. Under the patient love and guidance of their father, Ann along with her sister and four brothers, learned to take care of each other and their family home. Ann graduated from St. Angela Academy in 1949. She graduated from the College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minnesota in 1953. During the summers before and during her college years, Ann was a lifeguard at the Carroll Municipal swimming pool and was manager of the pool for three of those years.
After graduating from St. Teresa, Ann worked briefly as an auditor for an insurance company in Omaha but was called home after a short time by the illness of her father, who died in 1954. Ann then taught high school for a year in Colfax, Iowa, including a stint as a coach for the girl’s golf team.
Ann married Dr. Norman Schulz, also of Carroll, on July 16, 1955, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. She and Norm moved to Fort Hood, Texas where Norm served two years in the U.S. Army and where Ann had their first child. They moved back to Carroll in 1957 where Norm opened a dental practice.
Ann was a mother and homemaker for nearly 70 years, raising 10 children. Ann is fondly remembered by her family and many friends as a kind, caring and fun-loving person with an endearing sense of humor. Ann was very active in the Carroll community, including with the Carroll Community Theater, St. Anthony’s Hospital Auxiliary, and the Newcomers Club. She was an avid participant in numerous bridge clubs over the years. Ann started playing golf at a young age and displayed her love for the game as an active and long-time member of the Carroll Country Club. On the course she was known for her competitive spirit and contagious smile. Through golf she formed lifelong friendships, and encouraged many in her family to develop a love for the game. She often said that she believed in the therapeutic value of recreation and came home feeling refreshed after a round of golf with her friends. Ann was very proud of her Irish heritage and brought that enthusiasm to Carroll by founding and acting as grand marshal of the annual yet very informal St. Patrick’s Day parade. Ann also became an accomplished cook and enjoyed trying new dishes and sharing recipes with friends. She loved hosting informal dinner parties.
Ann loved traveling all her life, and vacations were special to her. For many years, Ann and Norm took annual family vacations to lakes near Alexandra, Minnesota. It was a drivable distance with up to 10 kids in a station wagon! In later years, they expanded their travel horizon, including memorable “dental convention” trips to New York, San Francisco and Boston, winter trips to Florida, Arizona and California, and international trips to Italy, Ireland, Mexico, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. They even spent a year living in America Samoa, where Norm volunteered in a dental clinic.
Ann’s life revolved mostly around her family and friends. Despite losing her mother early in her life and thus lacking the usual support system, Ann’s enthusiasm and energy allowed her to create her own support system, and in turn to help other mothers and their families. Long before the phrase “it takes a village” was introduced, Ann created and nurtured her own village. Faced with all the usual challenges and chaos of family life, she thrived. Ann was a willing, enthusiastic and adventurous participant in life. She made it fun!
Ann is survived by her ten children and their families: Steve (Linda) Schulz of St. Paul, Minnesota, Dave (Rhonda) Schulz of Marion, Iowa, Dan Schulz of Carroll, Tom (Mande) Schulz of Alamo, California, John (Michelle) Schulz of Sonoma, California, Rob Schulz of Chicago, Illinois, Sue (Steve) Anderson of Urbandale, Iowa, Lisa (Jeff) Lorenger of Iowa City, Iowa, Jane (Greg) McRae of Lyons, Colorado, and Mike Schulz of Carroll; eighteen grandchildren: Aimee, Kelsey, Conor, Harrison, Brennan, Erik, Samuel, Annie, Chezney and Jared Schulz, Abby (Casey) Ash, Emma Marshall McRae, Alex (Isa) Anderson, Joe (Holly) Anderson, Maddie (Troy) Beck, Kathryn (Ben) Coverick, Laura and Will Lorenger; and one great-grandchild: Wyatt Beck.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband Norm Schulz, her parents Anthony (A.J.) and Mary Waters, her father- and mother-in-law, Ted and Cecil Schulz, her brothers Joe, Jim, Bill and Dan Waters; her sister Marg Tormey; her sisters-in-law Mary, Lois, and Betty Waters and brother-in-law Bill Tormey.
