Eileen Lucy Schuttler, 78 of Spearfish died Saturday, September 19, 2015 at Garden Hills Assisted Living in Spearfish.

Eileen was born May 20, 1937 in Pocatello, Idaho to John and Alvina (Elsbernd) Taney. She attended St. Margaret's Grade School and Blackfoot High School, both in Blackfoot, Idaho. At Blackfoot High, Eileen busied herself with drama club and the debate team, winning state and regional debate titles in extemporaneous speaking, earning a trip to the national competition. She graduated in 1955 as the class valedictorian and moved onto Idaho State University, where she earned a teaching degree in English, following graduation, she took jobs in Fairfield, Idaho and then in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Despite her short time in each location, Eileen made a strong impact on her students. While in Idaho Falls, Eileen was setup on a blind date with future husband, Ronald Schuttler, the couple married in 1962. Following their marriage the couple lived in Weymouth, Massachusetts, Charleston, South Carolina and Vallejo, California, following Ron's postings with the United States Navy. Upon Ron's retirement in 1976, the family moved to Spearfish. With their three boys a bit more self-sufficient, Eileen returned to school, earning a degree in Library Science at Black Hills State University. She returned to full-time employment as the librarian at Spearfish Junior High School, retiring in 2002.

Eileen enjoyed singing with social and church groups, sewing, finding new recipes to share with her family and reading. She shared her love of a good story with her students and family, who remember the many times Eileen reading aloud from newspapers, magazines or books, imparting worthwhile information along with her keen observations. That same desire to share knowledge extended to the library and the classroom, where she always found time to help students find the perfect book or the best way to express themselves. A lifelong Catholic, Eileen was always active in her church, serving as a lector, Eucharistic minister, Catechism teacher, a member of the Altar Society, bell ringer with St. Joseph's Bell Choir and organizer of the church library.

Eileen is survived by her husband, Ron of Spearfish, three sons; John (Mary) of Greeley, CO, Bill (Dina) of Evans, CO and David of Spearfish, grandchildren; Aidan, Cara and Tanian of Greeley, CO, brothers, Pat Taney of Blackfoot, ID and Jim Taney of Boise, ID and her sisters, Mary Robinson of Bozeman, MT and Jean Taney of Pocatello, ID

She was preceded in death by her parents and several aunts and uncles.

Visitation will be from 2pm-5pm, Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish, with vigil services to follow at 7pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10am, Thursday, September 24, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Memorials have been established to benefit Black Hills State University Schuttler Family Scholarship and Hospice of the Northern Hills.