Theodore (Ted) James Schotzko

Theodore “Ted” James Schotzko, 84 of Tracy, passed away on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at his residence in Tracy, Minnesota. Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 pm on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Visitation will be from 4 – 8 pm on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at the Almlie-Horvath Funeral Home in Tracy with a CCW rosary at 4:00 pm and a prayer service at 6:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be on Ted’s private cemetery. Online condolences may be placed at www.almlie-horvath.com. The Almlie-Horvath Funeral Service of Tracy is caring for the family. Theodore James Schotzko was born on March 10, 1931 to Theodore and Ruth (Johnson) Schotzko in Springfield, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church in Springfield, attended St. Raphael’s Elementary School, and graduated from Springfield High School. In 1951, Ted was united in marriage to Lois Conrad and they made their home in St. James where Ted worked for Tony Downs Foods. Several years later, Ted purchased Lakeland Meats in Tracy where he worked as a meat cutter. In 1974, Ted married Janet and they continued to work and live in the Tracy community. After selling the business and retiring, Ted went back to work as a meat cutter for Ken’s Super Valu in Tracy. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy and belonged to the Knights of Columbus. Ted was an avid conservationist, loved the land and nature, and loved to do wood working. Ted could make anything out of wood: clocks, canes (which he made two for Governor Mark Dayton) and signs depicting the Indians and early settlers but later switched to making signs for the DNR, Pheasants Forever, and his farm. Ted helped Pheasants Forever in Lyon County and was a past president. He also hosted the state gun training class at the farm, the Pheasants Forever Mentor Hunt, and was recently made an honorary member of the Tracy FFA. Ted enjoyed wood working, photography, hunting, bowling, ecology, anything outdoors, and spending time with his grandchildren and family. On Wednesday, September 16, 2015 Ted passed away at his residence in Tracy at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife Janet Schotzko of Tracy; nine children Christine (Ronald) Flatequal of Plymouth, Theodore (Sandy) Schotzko of Albertville, Elizabeth (Stephen) Proudfoot of Maple Grove, Mary (Rudy) Diethelm of Wichita, KS, Jennifer (Michael) Hudson of Greenwood Lake, NY, Joel (Wendy) Schotzko of Maple Grove, David (Dee) Schotzko of Brooklyn Center, Paul Schotzko of Fargo, ND, and Margaret (Tracy) Engelbretson of Herman Town; twenty-three grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren; one sister Barbara Toombs of Rosemont, sister-in-law Judy Schotzko of Fairbault, and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents Theodore and Ruth, daughter Hildegard, and siblings John and Mary. Blessed be his memory.