Madelyn Cecelia Schulte

Madelyn Cecelia Schulte, 95, of Aurora, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at Sunnymere in Aurora, Illinois. She was born November 21, 1921 in St. Helena, Nebraska and grew up in the farming community of Orient, South Dakota. Upon graduating from high school, Madelyn attended Northern State Teacher’s College in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where she earned her teaching certificate. She taught in a one room country schools from 1941 to 1942, then briefly lived and worked in Milwaukee until 1943, at which time she enlisted in the United States Navy WAVES program. Upon discharge in 1946, Madelyn moved to Chicago where she worked as a secretary while going to school at night, first at Northwestern University and then at Loyola, graduating in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree in social psychology, and in 1959 with a Master of Social Work. Following graduation, Madelyn relocated to the Los Angeles area and began her 27 year career as a social worker specializing in adoption. She worked for Catholic Welfare Bureau, Children’s Home Society of CA, and for Holy Family Services from which she retired in 1986. A lifelong advocate for children, Madelyn served on the board of directors of Parent Help USA, an organization for the prevention of child abuse. Madelyn enjoyed folk and ballroom dancing, singing in the church choir, and traveling. Upon retirement, Madelyn volunteered in many capacities: as a docent at the Laguna Art Museum, in the Opera Division of the Town and Gown group U of CA Irvine, and as medical records and main desk greeter at Irvine Medical Center. Madelyn moved to Aurora in 2002 and spent her remaining years residing at Sunnymere, enjoying time with family, and traveling with her sisters, nieces and nephew. Madelyn is survived by her sister Rita Conrad, her brother, Richard (Katherine) Schulte; her brother-in-law, William Kastens; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Helena (Boeckman) and Stephen Schulte; sisters, Josephine “Mary” Muth, Monica (William) Kastens and Mary Ann Jacobsen; brothers-in-law, Warren Muth and Maurice Conrad. There will be no visitation. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.Fr. Timothy Mulcahey will officiate with interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by The Daleiden Mortuary, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora, IL 60506. (630) 631-5500. Please visit our interactive website at www.daleidenmortuary.com where you may sign the guest book or leave condolences for Madelyn’s family. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made in Madelyn’s honor to Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Sunnymere, or to the charity of your choice.

Madelyn Cecelia Schulte

November 21, 1921 - December 31, 2016