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Minneota teen killed in crash remembered as a ‘positive influence’

Photo courtesy of Brittany Moorse Donnie Schuelke is pictured with Reba, a cow he showed at the 2015 Minnesota State Fair. Schuelke, who was actively involved in 4-H and other activities, died in a car crash on Sunday.

MINNEOTA — Donald “Donnie” Schuelke IV wanted to be a marine biologist someday.

This fall, he planned to take steps toward that dream as a biology and chemistry student at the University of Minnesota in Duluth. He intended to follow that up with a master’s degree in marine biology.

Unfortunately, Schuelke’s dream will never become a reality as the 18-year-old died as the result of an automobile crash on Sunday morning in rural Canby.

Schuelke was a recent graduate of Minneota High School and the son of Donald and Julie Schuelke of rural Minneota. He also leaves behind triplet brothers — Logan, Carter and Joshua — who will be freshmen this fall.

“Donnie was a very bright kid and he had a really big future ahead of him,” Minneota Superintendent Dan Deitte said. “He wanted to work with oceans and things like that. It’s truly a tragedy.”

Minneota Mascot owner/editor Byron Higgin had the opportunity to get to know the young man over the past few years.

“Donnie used to sit by me and we’d talk baseball all the time,” Higgin said. “He had a smile on his face all the time. There wasn’t any better kid. Donnie was an amazing kid.”

Deitte said that the recently-graduated Schuelke had been a co-captain for the Vikings baseball team and that he was a very well-rounded student.

“He was in robotics — he drove the robot and did a great job for the team,” Deitte said. “He was very much into FFA and many various activities like that. You don’t always find a kid that does all those things at one time.”

Deitte noted that Schuelke was a model student.

“He could definitely brighten everyone’s day and he was very respectful,” Deitte said. “He never got into trouble or put anybody down. He was just the kind of kid who had no enemies and could get along with everybody. He liked to tell a lot of jokes.”

As the Minneota FFA adviser for the last few years, William Delaney also got to know Schuelke.

“Donnie was a positive influence on everybody he came in contact with,” Delaney said. “He had such an outgoing personality. He was always there to help the young kids. There was never anything he wasn’t interested in doing. He was just a trooper.”

Delaney added that he actually looked forward to seeing Schuelke every day at school.

“He always had the kind of smile that touched everybody,” he said. “I looked forward to his smile when I got to school every morning. He was always so upbeat.”

Schuelke was known for doing the right thing even when no one was watching.

“He was very helpful, especially to the young kids in FFA,” Delaney said. “He’d answer their questions and take time to make them feel good about themselves. He was a three-year officer for our chapter leadership team.”

Delaney recalled an incident involving Schuelke while they and other members of the Minneota chapter were at the National FFA Convention.

“It was at the end of the session and as we were leaving, there were a lot of people pushing and shoving,” Delaney said. “He helped a lady with her cart and her kids and stuff. Instead of just opening the doors, he actually helped her with her packages. He did things without being asked.”

The woman later tracked down the chapter and made sure everyone knew how highly she thought of Schuelke’s effort.

“The lady recognized the jackets and ended up sending an email thanking him,” Delaney said. “She wanted to tell an adviser about his good deed. That was just Donnie. He took it upon himself to do things like that.”

While school is not currently in session, many gathered together on Sunday at Minneota High School, seeking comfort and support in the wake of the difficult loss.

We held a little session (Sunday night),” Deitte said. “The (Southwest West Central) Service Cooperative has a crisis response team and we employed them. There were five of them that came, along with our social worker, counselor, two principals, the board chair, four or five teachers and myself.”

Deitte said he wasn’t sure what to expect for a turnout, but the school administrators wanted to make sure people had a place to come to for support.

“It was only a five- or six-hour notice, but there were 20-25 of his classmates and maybe 20 other students there,” he said. “Some parents came, too. There were different spots set up for people. I’m glad we could provide the school as a place to gather and provide support. We’re also grateful to the Service Coop for reacting so quickly.”

Authorities responded to the one-vehicle crash at about 4:40 a.m. Sunday. The Minnesota State Patrol said the 1995 Ford Explorer Schuelke was driving had been traveling eastbound on Highway 68 when it went off the roadway, entered the ditch and rolled over.

The State Patrol also said the driver was ejected from the vehicle and was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

“It’s so tough,” Deitte said. “You just don’t understand. As a small town and school, you get hit hard. We’re just going to have to work our way through this — to be there for the family and try to help the kids through it.”

With it being summer break, it makes it difficult to reach all the students. Deitte wants people to know the school can serve as a place of healing, though.

“Right now, we’re focused on whatever the school can do to help,” he said. “It’s a little different because we’re not in session, but all these kids who just graduated haven’t left for college yet. They’re still very much here in Minneota. One of my daughters (Sienna) just graduated, so I have my own child who is trying to get through this.”

Along with people from Schuelke’s hometown, there are countless others who are affected by his death. Schuelke had an impact on people throughout the area and state, some say.

“Donnie was a role model for a number of students — even students throughout the state,” Delaney said. “He was on the state nominating committee, so it was sort of a tough day for them as well. All the students throughout the state that came in contact with him came away better. He’ll be missed, but his memory will live on.”

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held for Schuelke at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at St. Eloi Catholic Church in Ghent. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

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