Larry J. Schwarte

Larry J. Schwarte was born in Earling, Iowa, December 18, 1943, the son of Wilfred “Swede” and Lavina Leinen Schwarte. He was raised at Earling where he graduated from St. Joseph High School with the class of 1963. He furthered his education through the years at AMI taking courses related to Pork Operations in the Meat Industry and Processed Meats Manufacturing and at Doane College taking Supervision courses. On June 26, 1965, Larry was united in marriage with Rebecca Smith at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa. Their union was blessed with three children: Tammy, Troy and Travis. They made their home in Denison where Larry had began his 42 year career with Farmland Foods, then know as Crawford County Pack, in 1963. He received many promotions through the years with Farmland beginning on the Kill Floor, then was promoted to gang leader for coolers and freezers being responsible for product and personnel. He then was foreman of the curing department and in 1975 transferred to the Crete, Nebraska plant where he served as Processing Supervisor when that plant opened and was responsible for training foremen and hourly workers. His 1978 promotion in fresh pork sales returned the family back to Denison where he continued with Farmland, later becoming their Transportation Manager and was their Director of Procurement and Contract Negotiations when he retired in 2005. Larry was proud of his career at Farmland where many of his suggestions and ideas helped to produce, move and ship fresh pork products in a more efficient and cost saving manner helping to increase company profits. In addition to his career at Farmland, for eight years Larry and Becky owned and operated the bookstore “Christian Family Supplies” and during that time, they ran the CCD and CYO programs for St. Rose of Lima Church in Denison. Throughout his life Larry enjoyed various interests and hobbies in his leisure time including: golfing, bowling, woodworking, fishing, gardening, flowers, collecting Star Wars and John Wayne memorabilia and watching the Nebraska Cornhuskers. One of his greatest joys in later years was spending time with his grandchildren. In earlier years, Larry served for six years with Army National Guard, was a Chamber of Commerce member and served on the Denison Community Chest Board of Directors. Other former and current memberships he enjoyed include American Legion Post 8 and St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church where he was an active member serving as a Eucharistic Minister, was president and member of the Financial Board of Directors for two years, Education and Youth Director and was a Third and Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Larry died suddenly early Tuesday morning, January 24, 2017, at his home in Denison, Iowa, having been blessed with 73 years, 1 month and 6 days. Those preceding Larry in death include his father, Wilfred “Swede” Schwarte; one brother Glenn Schwarte and his step-father, Ivo Blum. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife of nearly 52 years, Rebecca Schwarte of Denison, three children: Tammy (Kevin) Beymer of Denison, Iowa, Troy Schwarte of Omaha, Nebraska, and Travis (Crystal) Schwarte of Bellevue, Nebraska; eight grandchildren: Cole, Heather, Jared, Blake, Dacota, Sierra, Madison and Eli; his mother: Lavina Schwarte Blum of Dunlap, Iowa; two brothers: Jerry (Starr) Schwarte of Denison, Iowa, and Ken (Rose) Schwarte of Branson West, Missouri; three sisters: Alice (Ronald) Reiser of Carroll, Iowa, Sally (Jeff) Lass of Pilot Mound, Iowa, and Connie (Rodney) Summerfield of Dunlap, Iowa, sister-in-law: Carol Schwarte of Littleton, Colorado, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2017, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, Iowa, with Father Paul Kelly as Celebrant. Others participating in the mass included Servers: Zach and Josh Ahrenholtz; Lector: Judy Brodersen; Gift Bearers: Grandchildren; Eucharistic, Ministers: Ron and Barb Songer and Dorothy Leinen. Music for mass was provided by the St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir, Michelle Ahrenholtz, Director, singing “Here I Am Lord”, “Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone”, Eucharistic Litany”, and “How Great Thou Art” with Jean Cornelius serving as accompanist. Pallbearers were Jim Reiser, Bob Reiser, Brian Kessel, Brandon Summerfield, Jason Schwarte, and Austin Smith. Interment, with Military Honors, provided by the American Legion, Post 8, Denison, Iowa, and Taps by Father Paul Kelly, was at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery, Denison, Iowa. Following the graveside rites and burial, the family invited everyone to join them at the St. Rose Parish Center for fellowship and a luncheon provided by Deb’s Deli. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa was in charge of arrangements. A visitation was held on Friday, January 27, 2017 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, Iowa beginning with a Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and concluding with a Parish Vigil at 7:00 p.m. led by Deacon Ron Forrest.