Corrine "Cory" Schutte

Corrine "Cory" Schutte, age 98, of Amery, WI passed away at Willow Ridge Healthcare on December 16, 2025.

Corrine Marie Grams was born July 9, 1927 in the town of Cold Spring, Minnesota to George Joseph and Marie (Stuckel) Grams. Cory had a sister, Marjorie Long. Cory and her sister attended both grade school and high school at St. Boniface in Cold Springs. After graduation, Cory attended beauty school in St. Cloud, MN and upon finishing her degree she got her first job at a beauty shop in Alexandria, MN.

Cory married Don Athmann, her high school sweetheart. Shortly after they married, they had their son Tom. In 1955, the family moved to Amery where Don got a job teaching history and Cory started her own beauty shop across from Bremer Bank. In 1956, Don and Cory established the Ball and Chain group in Amery, which they had also started in Cold Spring before they moved. It was a group of business people who met about four times a year. Each gathering was a different theme-like Hawaiian, dance or birthdays. It is still going on to this day.

In 1969, Don passed away. After Don's passing, Cory moved her beauty shop to the downstairs of the Dental Arts building. During this time, Cory met "Doc" Schutte who had a dental practice upstairs. They married in January of 1972, thus creating a blended family of six children.

The Red Coats, still active today, was started by Cory and fellow businessman Hank Snyder in 1981. An important function for the Red Coats is the annual Fall Festival. For 25 years, Doc and Cory hosted receptions for guests attending the Fall Festival. They were Grand Marshals in the Fall Festival Parade of 1996 and served as Master of Ceremonies for the queen coronation. The social festivities didn't end during the fall months though, as Doc and Cory, along with other couples, would go Christmas caroling around Amery each year.

After 32 years of doing hair, Cory sold the beauty shop that she built on Elm Street and then she and Doc sold their home on Wisconsin Ave. and built in Pondhurst, overlooking the golf course. On July 21, 2011, Doc passed away.

Cory's community involvement never seemed to end. She was very active at church singing in the choir, working funerals, and was a member of the Altar Society. She was also a member of the "Hot Flashers" bridge club and an active golfer.

She loved celebrating birthdays and holidays; even though her favorite holiday was Christmas, her favorite season was summer. Cory's favorite flowers were roses. Her rose bushes were her pride and joy. She also enjoyed watching baseball and football and cheering on her grandkids' favorite teams.

Her famous line, "remember who you are" was provided to many of us upon our "Midwest Goodbyes" or long chats on the phone, of course mostly about her flowers. Her family is grateful for her little gentle life reminders and knowing they no longer need to fear "living room" discussions in their futures.

Cory was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Don Athmann; second husband, Richard "Doc" Schutte; daughter-in-law, Robin; and sister, Marg. She is survived by her son, Tom Athmann; grandchildren, Bryanna Athmann and Nick Athmann; children and grandchildren of her second husband, Doc Schutte; as well as many other loving relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be from 1:00 to 4:00pm on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, WI. There will be a time of sharing and barbershop music at 2:00pm.

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