Hans Jurgen Schultz

Hans Jurgen Schultz, beloved husband, father and Papa, passed away in the early morning hours of Thursday, April 25, 2024. He was 86 years old.

Hans was born March 19, 1938, in the city of Stettin, Germany to his parents, Robert Hans and Anna Kruger Schultz. Hans grew up witnessing the difficulties of war-torn zones of Germany during World War II.

His mother Anna had three little boys, Dieter, Hans and Klaus to protect and keep alive by herself, while his dad, a Sergeant in the German Army, was captured and sent to a prisoner of war (POW) camp here in the United States in Lovell, Wyoming.

Anna knew her husband had been captured and sent to the states, but Robert had no way of knowing if Anna and his three little boys were still alive or surviving the war. It was not until 1946, a year after the war was over, that they found each other with the help of the Red Cross.

In 1949, Norbert, Hans’s youngest brother was born. In 1953, when Hans was 15, he immigrated with his family to the United States, sponsored by his dad’s friend from the POW camp in Wyoming.

Hans and his older brother Dieter had to work to help pay the sponsor back the $3,000 it cost for their family to come to the states. Klaus and Norbert were able to attend school.

At first, Hans was disappointed that there were not as many Indians and cowboys around as he had read about in books. Most of all he was disappointed that no one had even really heard of the game he loved so much, soccer.

Hans learned the new language, but kept his accent. He enjoyed the bowling league he was in and was a very good bowler. He was in his 20s when he heard about a dam that was being built in Libby, Montana. In 1968, after he moved to Libby, he met the love of his life, Peggy Browning, through a mutual friend, who set them up on a blind date in Missoula, Montana. They were married on July 5, 1969.

Hans worked for the Libby Dam for seven years before it was completed. In 1975, they moved to Troy, Montana, and eventually built their dream home near the Kootenai River. 

Their sons, Erich and Max were born several years later and grew up there. They had a lot of friends that would always spend their time at the Schultz’s house from sandbox days to motorcycles.

Hans then worked for the Asarco Silver Mine near Troy for 12 years. In 1993, the mine shut down and soon afterward, Hans was hired to work at the Barrick Gold Mine in Beatty, Nevada. Hans never had trouble getting work because of his reputation, as he was known to “do the work of three men.”

In 2000, Hans and Peg moved back to their beloved hometown, Troy, Montana, to an acre that they had kept for retirement. They spent the last 24 years together in the place that they developed in their later years. They were married for 54 years, filled with lots of good memories, and yes, sometimes some rough times, too, but that is what life is all about. However, they faced it all together.

In the last couple of years of his life, Hans began to lose his health and strength as he battled with heart and kidney failure. It was difficult for him to lose the powerful strength he had his whole life.

He was loved and will be missed so much by his family, as a wonderful husband, father and Papa. He set such a good example in all things in his life for us all.

Han’s legacy is carried on by his loving wife Peggy, of Troy, Montana, sons Erich (Michelle) of Belgrade, Montana, and Max (Elina) of Sagle, Idaho; grandchildren Devin, Alex, Sadie and Ava; brother Norbert of Glendo, Wyoming; lots of special nieces, nephews and dear friends.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at the Church of Latter-day Saints in Troy, Montana at 141 Lake Creek Road. 

A luncheon will be served afterward. Please RSVP by June 9 to elina.schultz@gmail.com if you plan to attend. 

We hope that you will come and heard the unique life story of a man who was a legend in so many ways.