For well over a quarter-century Patricia Schutte has been active in publications, broadcasting, and other communications leadership roles with much of the focus involving the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
A long-time member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, an association of more than 200,000 Lutheran women, Schutte has served in a variety of positions including 14 years as a board member of the organization’s International League. She also was editor-in-chief of the league’s publication, Lutheran Women’s Quarterly, which circulates throughout the U.S. and Canada. The magazine received awards for excellence and achievement under Schutte’s editorship.
Schutte has been a member of the church’s Board for Communications Services. During her tenure the church won a First Amendment ruling of national significance. The case, Religious Freedom in Broadcasting, involved station KFUO, the church’s FM radio affiliate in St. Louis. The court’s decision preserved the religious station’s right to determine its own hiring practices, a landmark ruling affecting similar stations throughout the nation.
Schutte has published articles in various religious magazines, and she has been a contributor and consultant for broadcast scripts, television programs, and video productions. One notable television show, “Red Boots for Christmas,” was produced by Lutheran Hours Ministries and translated into 15 languages. It’s still shown worldwide.
Earlier she was with the San Diego County Dental Society as assistant director and editor of the society’s publication, which earned honors for excellence. Active in Federated Republican Women’s groups, Schutte has received awards for achievement in communications projects for the party. These included recognition at the state level for Southern California and in San Diego County.
A 1953 graduate of Lincoln High School, Schutte was a member of the National Honor Society, Lincoln Play Shop, Sponsor’s Club, was copy editor of the Lincoln Log yearbook and on the staff of the Old Post Sentinel newspaper.
She holds a business administration degree from Vincennes University where she was editor of the student newspaper Trailblazer and a member of Pen and Scroll and Phi Theta Kappa scholastic honorary. She received an Outstanding Alumni citation from the university in 1978.
Schutte, who has two children and four stepchildren, resides with her husband, Oliver, in a suburb of San Diego.