Phyllis Florence Schatz

Phyllis Schatz, age 94, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 12th, 2026 at Samaritan Bethany in Rochester, MN where she had been a resident for almost six years.

She was born Phyllis Florence Pickett to mother Florence Nelson Pickett and father Paul Joseph Pickett, Sr. on July 1, 1931 in Fillmore County, Minnesota. She attended country schools in Fillmore County and graduated from Austin High School with the class of 1949. She attended Austin Junior College where she earned an Associate's Degree and then began her work career.

It was during her early working years when she met a young soldier, Robert E. Schatz. He had recently returned from serving in World War II and was working for NCR National Cash Register and came in to repair a machine at her place of employment. He spotted the tall and beautiful Phyllis and thus began their lifelong love. They were married at St. Olaf's Lutheran Church in Austin, Minnesota on October 11th, 1952. Bob's career in those days took them to many different cities, beginning in Rochester, Minnesota, to Escanaba, Michigan, Joliet, Illinois, Grand Island, Nebraska, and finally Des Moines, Iowa where most of their family years were spent. They lovingly adopted two baby boys along the way, Eric in Minneapolis and later David from the Chicago area.

With each move, Phyllis enthusiastically immersed herself in the local culture meeting and making new friends at every new community. Their final move once the kids were grown was to spend their retirement years in the Rogers/Bentonville area of Arkansas. There Phyllis once again became actively involved in community functions including Friends of the Library, Midwest Antique Show, Women's Club as well as local politics.

Phyllis was a wonderful cook, baker, quilter, conversationalist, historian, and story teller. To her family, she was a walking encyclopedia of past and current events. If you wanted to know something about anything, she had the answer for you long before Google had a search! And not surprisingly, when fact checked, you would most always find that she was right. She also had a great sense of humor, and right up until her final hours, she loved to laugh. She had a remarkable vocabulary and was the queen of Scrabble at Samaritan Bethany and no one dare try to beat her.

Phyllis spent her childhood years growing up in southern Minnesota and loved riding horses. She spent her youth with her cousins and extended family and friends enjoying living out in the country until moving to Austin for her high school years.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Schatz, her two sons, Eric, Marquette, Michigan, and David, Joplin, Missouri, her parents, Paul Sr. and Florence Pickett, Blue Earth, MN, her brothers and their spouses, David and Louise Pickett of Austin, Minnesota, Paul Joseph Jr. and Cybil Pickett, Austin, Minnesota and her younger sister, Avis and brother-in-law William Humphreys, along with niece, Amy Humphreys, of Atlanta, Georgia, brother in laws and their spouses, Wilfred and Velda Schatz, Willard and Ella Schatz, Monticello, Iowa, Ernest and Ann Schatz, Vern and Betty Schatz, Chicago, Illinois, sister-in-law's, Marie Schatz, Monticello, Iowa, Audrey Schatz, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and sister-in-law Clara Tsuris and brother-in-law Peter Tsuris, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy who passed away as a child.

She is survived by her brother-in-law, Lester Schatz, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, daughter-in-law, Mary Schatz, Marquette, MI, five grandchildren, Angela, Monica, Elena, Sebastian, and Scarlet, along with five great grand-children, Joseph, Vincent, Ruby, Evie, and Anthony. She is also survived by her beloved nieces, Becky (Brad) Massop, Laura Pickett, and beloved nephews Allen, Don, and Tim Pickett, along with their spouses Kim, Deitra, and Terri Pickett who together supported, visited, and cared for her each day during her return move to Rochester, Minnesota. She is also survived by numerous other nieces, nephews, and cousins especially, Ilene Nelson, who faithfully assisted Phyllis with drives to and from doctor appointments.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of Samaritan Bethany in Rochester for the dignified and loving care given to Phyllis for her many years as a resident. She really appreciated everyone who worked there. An honorary service will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rochester at a future time. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home in Rochester is assisting the family. Burial will take place in the spring at Oakwood Cemetery in Monticello, Iowa. May she now rest in the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus.