Eric J. Schulze responded to his higher calling, bringing to an end his faithful ministry and service to his family and God’s people in various ministries. He entered the more immediate presence of his Savior on July 1, 2017 at the age of 90.
Born June 17, 1927 near Edmonton, Alberta (Heimtal Community), he was the fifth son of Hermann and Emilie (Guenther) Schulze. After his high school graduation from Camrose Lutheran College, he entered Moravian College and Theological Seminary, graduating with B.A. and M.Div. degrees.
He was united in marriage to Constance H.M. Fenske on June 3, 1954. Together they raised their four children and served congregations of the Moravian Church in America in Alberta and British Columbia of Canada as well as on the islands of Antigua and St. Croix in the West Indies. They served congregations of the Reformed Church in America in Calgary, Alberta, and Pomona, California, until 1982.
Eric was the chaplain at Marquardt Manor in a retirement community in Watertown, Wisconsin, for over 11 years before moving to Lynden in 1994.
In redirection years Eric and Connie served as a visitation pastoral couple for the Board of Benefit Services of the RCA in 12 Western states and provinces until 2005. During those years Eric also was the Director of Older Adult Ministries at First Reformed Church in Lynden, until 2010. He retired from ministry at age 83.
In recent years Connie and Eric maintained meaningful contact with their children and grandchildren through correspondence and electronic media. He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife, Connie; four children, Dan and Elsa in Las Vegas, Edee in Santa Barbara, Dianne and Bill Schlitt in Claremont, California, and Tim and Donna in Lanesville, Indiana; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law Mildred Schulze of Watertown, Wisconsin, and Marian Stewart of Edmonton, Alberta.
He was predeceased by his parents and four brothers.
You are invited to join family for a 2 p.m. memorial service on Sunday, July 23, in First Reformed Church, 610 Grover St., Lynden, with Pastor Ryan Bajema officiating. A private family inurnment will be Monday, July 24, at Stillwaters inside Greenacres Memorial Park, Ferndale.
Memorials may be sent to the Board of World Missions Moravian Church, P.O. Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245; or Reformed Church Global Missions, 4500 60th SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512.
You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
