Rerouted to Home: Schulzes Enjoy Careers & Community in Hometown

Lane and Allie Schulz welcomed their daughter, Reese, in November 2025, and they are grateful to be raising her in the same community where they grew up.  

Although neither originally expected to return to Holdrege, Lane’s career pivot led him to a profession he loves in his hometown, and the couple now values the safety and strong sense of community it provides.

“The idea of community and fellowship is what makes small-town life so great,” Lane said. “You have that small-knit community feel that you are somebody and not some invisible person who comes and goes.”

Different paths, same hometown

After graduating from Holdrege High School in 2014, Allie attended Hastings College, where she studied sports and recreational management and played softball. Following college, she spent time on a mission trip in Australia before returning to Hastings. She worked as a resident director at the college and then worked at the Hastings Chamber of Commerce.

Lane graduated from HHS in 2008 and headed to the big city. He attended Colorado Christian University in the suburbs of Denver, where he played college soccer and studied biology and chemistry. He initially planned to pursue a career in the medical field, but after spending a few years in medical school, he realized that path wasn’t the right fit.

“I transitioned out of medical school and didn’t know where else to go, so I came back home to get my feet back under me,” Lane said.

At first, he resented being back in Holdrege. But after finding a career path he enjoys and reconnecting with old friends and making new friends with Holdrege transplants, he grew to love his hometown.

A family friend introduced him to financial planning. Lane now works as a financial advisor with Nebraska Farm Bureau (Phil Hinrichs office). He is now a certified financial planner (CFP®) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®). Lane’s client base continues to grow across the region, and he finds great satisfaction in helping individuals and families build strong financial futures.

Lane moved back to Holdrege in 2016, while Allie was still living and working in Hastings. Lane and Allie started dating in 2022 after a mutual friend connected them. It was a month after Lane had purchased a home in Holdrege. The couple married in April 2023.

Rediscovering small-town life

Having spent time living in larger cities (Denver and Dallas–Fort Worth), Lane said returning to Holdrege helped him see the community in a new light.

“People always say small towns don’t have anything to offer,” he said. “But realistically, we have the same core activities. We have restaurants, a bowling alley, and a movie theater. We just don’t have 30 different options for each thing.”

What Holdrege does offer, he said, is something many larger communities struggle to create: genuine connection.

“In big cities, you still end up finding a smaller community within the city,” Lane said. “Here, that community already exists.”

Allie agrees. Growing up in Holdrege, she remembers a strong network of teachers, friends and mentors who made school feel safe and supported.

“I loved my class and my teachers,” she said. “As I talked to other people who didn’t have that same experience, I was so thankful to have a school that felt safe and quite a few teachers who went to my church and a group of friends who were good influences. I really value that now since not everyone has a similar story.”

Lane said one thing he appreciated about Holdrege schools was the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities.

“Holdrege is big enough to offer a lot of activities but small enough that you can participate in everything,” he said. “You don’t have to pick and choose. You have the ability to be in athletics and music. I was able to be in band and choir and participate in multiple sports. In bigger schools, you often have to choose one or two activities.”

Lane said he was also glad he lived in Holdrege during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Covid really emphasized the idea that small communities are good because you don’t have a lot of external forces dictating how you live your life,” he said.

Finding opportunity and purpose

Today, the couple is highly involved in community life in Holdrege.

Lane serves on several local boards and organizations, including the YMCA of the Prairie Association board and Rotary. He enjoys golfing and participating in YMCA basketball and pickleball leagues.

“I’m very thankful for the YMCA,” Lane said. “For a community our size, it’s an incredible asset.”

Both Allie and Lane are involved at Trinity Evangelical Church, where Allie also works part-time in women’s ministry. Both Lane and Allie are also involved in the Teammates Mentoring Program, where Allie is also on the board. She also operates Bread House by Allie, a small sourdough and bread-baking venture. But mostly, she cherishes time spent raising their young daughter.

“Being a mom was always the dream,” Allie said.

Allie and Lane also enjoy participating in community activities.

“We really enjoy things like the Midsummer Festival and activities in the Iron Horse Arts District,” Lane said. “You can participate in everything and really feel connected.”

Lane said he appreciates PCDC and its progressive leadership, including past Executive Director Ron Tillery and current Executive Director Jeff Hofaker.

“PCDC is helping the community expand and grow,” Lane said. “It is ensuring that Phelps County is not a community that is complacent and refuses to grow.”  

Looking ahead

For young people growing up in the area today, the Schulzes hope their story highlights the opportunities that exist close to home.

“There are a lot more job opportunities in Holdrege than first meets the eye,” Lane said.

Allie added that priorities often shift over time.

“When you’re in high school, you’re thinking about better experiences,” she said. “But later, when you’re settling down, things like safety and community become more important.”

As they look toward the future with baby Reese, the Schulzes say they’re grateful to build their life in the same community where theirs began.

“The family and friends and the groups that we are involved in have determined this is home,” Lane said. “Looking back, we cherish the safety of growing up in Holdrege. It’s a positive place for us to stay and raise our family.”