Anne Elizabeth Larson Schatz

Anne Elizabeth Schatz, 91, died May 9, 2024, at Pine Ridge Gardens in Hudson, WI. She was born November 23, 1932, in Fullerton, ND to Carl and Mary Larson. Anne was the second of nine children and talked fondly about her upbringing on the farm.

Anne received a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University (1954), master’s degree from University of North Dakota (1968) and doctorate in education from Utah State (1980). She briefly taught at Bemidji State University then moved to California to teach business at Mt. San Jacinto College. While there she became an author writing business education textbooks for McGraw Hill. She then taught at Cal State Los Angeles and developed a grant program that paved the way for working adults to become teachers. This program went statewide and over the next decade helped thousands of people earn their teaching credentials. She worked at California Polytechnic University from 1984 until her retirement in 1992. Anne created copyrighted instructional materials, wrote dozens of articles for professional publications, and wrote successful grants for underprivileged school districts bringing technology into their classrooms.
Anne married Arlen Elroy Schatz in 1957, they divorced in 1966. They had three sons. David Arlen, Kevin Paul, and Steven Allen.

Anne was excited to become “Nana” with the birth of grandchildren Christine, Michael, and Paul. They became the focal point of her life. In 2002 she moved from Palm Springs to Austin, TX to be near Christine and Michael. She was active in their day-to-day lives driving Christine to tennis tournaments and Michael to music recitals across the state.
In retirement Anne spent two summers in Brazil with missionaries teaching English and continued to write books for enjoyment. Anne often traveled cross country including to her home in Fullerton, ND to see family. She traveled to Norway to visit her father’s birthplace, to Israel and enjoyed other travel with friends and family.

One of Anne’s lifelong passions was music. She played piano for college musical productions in southern CA and played for her sons’ music recitals as they grew up. Thirty years later she was proud to accompany her grandson Michael in his college recitals. She continued to play piano into her 80s.

An athlete throughout her life, Anne played basketball in high school, softball until her mid-30’s and then picked up a racquet to begin a 40-year journey playing tennis. She made many friends while loving the competition of tennis. Anne was still walking a mile/day until she broke her ankle in 2023.

Anne is survived by her sons David (Laura) of River Falls, WI, Kevin (Merlita) of Palm Springs, CA and Steven (Susan) of Parkville, MO. Grandchildren, Christine (TJ) Dailey, Michael and Paul. Great grandchildren, Thomas Joseph Dailey V and Addelyn Rose Dailey. Siblings Lela Kendal, Amy Childress, Christie Ulmer, Carl Larson, Rodney Larson, and 29 nieces and nephews.

Anne was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Mary (Blake) Larson, sisters Phylis Newman, Connie Hasse, and Helen Watkins.

A memorial service will be held Saturday June 22, 2024, at 11:00AM, with visitation at 10:00 AM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home 520 S. 11th Street Hudson, WI 54016. Service will be streamed
May she rest in the peace of God’s loving arms.