Sylvester Schutt

Sylvester Joseph Schutt, 84, went home to the Lord on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024, after enduring Parkinsons and Multiple Myeloma the last couple years.  He is pain free and at peace. Services will be held at 10:00 AM CDT, Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church, Hazen, with Fr. Tom Grafsgaard officiating.  Burial will follow at 2:00 PM CDT, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.  Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Monday at Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah.

 Sylvester Joesph Schutt was born on July 27, 1939, to Joe and Bridget (Keller) Schutt at the family farm south of Beulah, North Dakota. Sylvester attended grade school riding his horse to Country School with his brothers Jack and Robert.  In his teenage years, he lived in town during the week to attend high school and every weekend returned to farm to work.  He was the first to graduate high school in his family in 1958.

Upon graduation, Sylvester moved to Kansas and traveled through Texas to work with custom combiners.  He spent that summer living in his car and searching for different work. Sylvester Schutt was drafted into the United States Army in 1961 and served until 1963 receiving an honorable discharge.  Sylvester would always say “all people should serve some time in the Army---they would learn a lot”.   His Son (Todd), Granddaughter (Bridget) and Son-in Law (Robert) would join and serve in the Army. 

Sylvester returned home and married MaryAnn Marleen McLaughlin in 1966. The adventure would begin for Sylvester and MaryAnn.  They would move fifteen times over the course of their 58 years of marriage.  Sylvester and MaryAnn would welcome three children: Elizabeth (1967), Todd (1969) and Micheal (1980).  In the early years of marriage, Sylvester worked in Whitefish Montana, building tunnels, Lakota, North Dakota, working on the missile sites, Toole, Utah, working in the underground mines, and Washington, D.C., building the underground Subway system. Sylvester and MaryAnn would return to North Dakota where Sylvester found his calling.  Sylvester began his career in the Coal Mine industry beginning at Falkirk Mine, Washburn, North Dakota and finishing his mining career at Coteau Properties in Beulah, North Dakota. Sylvester stated his favorite job was “working as a Dragline Operator”.  Sylvester was a Dragline Operator for 26 years and ranched when he wasn’t at the Coal Mine. Sylvester valued hard work and never forgot to get his hands dirty doing an honest, long-day’s work. 

Sylvester Schutt had a firm belief “hard work –works”.  There was always a chore list waiting to be completed. Sylvester’s other passion was restoring vehicles. It was time to spend with his children and attending Car Shows.  Sylvester lived a full life willing to try just about anything. He fished, waterskied, umpired, bowled, hunted all types of game, ziplined, traveled, a good tasting long-island tea, grilling, calving, hauling hay, candy, Dairy Queen treats, and visiting with his grandchildren.  Sylvester had a witty sense of humor was always willing to help anyone who needed a helping hand.

In his later years, Sylvester could be found each day feeding his cats, tending cattle, reading the daily newspaper, and working in his shop. Sylvester will be remembered for his hard work, deep faith, humor, values, friends, children, and grandchildren.

Sylvester loved his family with all his heart, he didn’t express it very well in words.  His actions were his way of expressing his love.  Sylvester is survived by his wife – MaryAnn of 58 years; three children- Elizabeth (Robert) Auch, Todd (Jennifer) Schutt, and Michael (Lindsey) Schutt.  Grandchildren-- Alexius, Emily (Evan), Bridget, Sophia, Blaise, Fynlee, and Bexley.  Great-Grandchildren- Raya, Remi, River, and Rue.

Sylvester is preceded in death by his parents; his older brothers, Robert and Jack Schutt.

Arrangements conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Hazen and Beulah.

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