Elva Mae Schultz, 94, of Burlington, died Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, at her home. Born Sept. 29, 1930, in Davenport, she was the daughter of Orval L. and Lillian L. Riefe. She graduated from Davenport High School and attended Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., where she majored in fashion design.
She married Warren R. Schultz on July 15, 1955, in Davenport. He preceded her in death on Nov. 24, 2022.
Elva worked at the former Davenport Bank and Trust as a bookkeeper in 1949 and became the first woman bank teller in 1954. Elva co-owned Beckman Professional Dry Cleaners and Quick Clean Laundry from 1972 to 1989.
The was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, the Burlington Women’s Club and the Retired Teachers’ Bowling League.
Elva was an avid bridge player, world traveler and loved gardening. She had the best green thumb — plants in her greenhouse thrived under her care! She was a hard worker and very independent. She mowed her own lawn, drove her cars, and used technology to chat with her grandkids and friends. She loved her Iowa Hawkeye basketball! Go Hawks!
She will be greatly missed by her two daughters, Sandra (Dirk) Miller and Linda (Kevin) Ross, both of Wever; five grandchildren, Melissa (Steve) Brock, Eric (Jenna) Miller, Emily (Bob) Dunlap, Erin (James) Andries and Hannah Ross; six great-grandchildren, Lydia, Kyle, Alexander, Carson, Olivia and Luke, and special nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother, Delmar Riefe.
The memorial graveside funeral service and interment will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery, Davenport, Iowa. Pastor Mary Pugh will officiate.
Memorials have been established for the Burlington Public Library Children’s Department and the Burlington Steamboat Senior Center.
According to her wishes, cremation has been entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.