Our cherished and most beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend Colleen Ann Schutz, passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 18, 2016. Colleen was born on July 21, 1951 to Audrey (Reuter) and Edward Schutz. Though Colleen was small in stature her faith in God and love for her family had no bounds. We were all blessed to have her in our lives to be our earthly angel to show us how that even though your body can betray you, your spirit rises above all and faith has no bounds. Thank you little sweetie.

Colleen began her career at the University of Wisconsin in the Department of Medical Physics 32 years ago when the Department Chair Professor Herb Attix, hired her as Department Secretary. When Attix retired, Colleen continued working for the incoming Department Chair, Professor Paul DeLuca until 1998. Professor DeLuca and Colleen were an unbreakable duo. So much so, that when DeLuca was appointed Vice Dean of the School of Medicine and Public Health in 1999, and later the Provost of the University in 2009, his one requirement to taking the position was to have Colleen join him as a Confidential Personal Assistant. Colleen only retired once she knew that DeLuca had finished his tenure as Provost and returned to the Medical Physics Department. Her job was her life and her co-workers her family.



Colleen was fiercely independent and never wanted to burden her family and never understood that letting us serve her was the greatest honor and privilege. Her generosity and kindness are known to so many and she was deeply loved by countless family, friends and co-workers too numerous to mention. The loss of her has created the largest of voids in all of our lives.

A special thank you to Colleen's neighbors and angels, Duane Barnes and Scott Nordrum. Our hearts cannot express to you the depths of our appreciation for all you have done and meant to her and us. Also to Dr. Donita Croft and Dr. Mark Reichelderfer of UW for all the compassion and care they provided to Colleen during these many years. She loved you both and considered herself lucky to be in your care.

Colleen was predeceased by her father, Edward Schutz.

She is survived by her mother, Audrey Schutz; siblings, LaVon (Don Accola) and their children, Dana (Eric) Goth and Scott Accola, Annette (Clifford) Kaufman, their children, Kevin and Kelsey (Lee) Kersting and Dionne (Duncan Kaufman) and their children Lindsey and Lauren Kaufman. Colleen is further survived by great nieces and nephews, Audrey, Charlotte, Kaydan, Maia and Isaac and a dear cousin, Russell Maier, who came to live with the family following the death of his mother.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Aloysius Church, Sauk City, on Thursday, December 22nd at 11:30.

In lieu of memorials, please take a moment to do something kind for someone who is struggling. Colleen always thought of others before herself and would want us all to do the same.