William H. Schwarte
February 28, 1916 — February 11, 2009
William Herman Schwarte, Jr., the fourth child of William and Mary Ann (Schiltz) Schwarte, was born on February 28, 1916, on a farm half a mile north of Westphalia, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia and attended grade school and high school at St. Boniface Catholic School in Westphalia. After graduation, William worked for his father on the farm and helped out neighbors and relatives with their farming duties.
From 1941 to 1950, William went to Holy Rosary Mission in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. There he managed the dairy and farm for two years and then ran the garage and taught mechanics to the boys at the school for seven years.. He also was a referee when the Harlem Globe Trotters came through Pine Ridge.
On February 16, 1950, William was united in marriage to Verena "Fern" Marie Schmitz at St. Boniface Catholic Church. After their wedding, William and Fern farmed northwest of Panama where they eventually retired in 1982.
In January 2002, William became a resident at the Little Flower Haven Nursing Home in Earling, Iowa. It was here that he died on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, having attained the age of ninety-two years, eleven months, and fourteen days. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Fern; his brothers: Herman; Joseph; Msgr. Michael; Sylvan; and Raymond; his sister Bernice Schwarte; and his sister-in-law Peggy Schwarte.
He is survived by his sisters Marie and her husband Joe Sullivan of Panama, Iowa; Caroline Esser of Logan, Iowa and Margaret and her husband Jerry Eipperle of Omaha, Nebraska; his brother Martin Schwarte of Harlan, Iowa; nieces; nephews; other family members and many friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, February 14, 2009, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, Iowa. Rev. John Dorton celebrated the 10:30 AM service. Interment was held at St. Boniface Cemetery in Westphalia with Mike Rosso; Wayne Schwarte; Joe Esser; Jim Schwarte; Jerry Eipperle, Jr.; and Mike Sullivan serving as casket bearers.
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From 1941 to 1950, William went to Holy Rosary Mission in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. There he managed the dairy and farm for two years and then ran the garage and taught mechanics to the boys at the school for seven years.. He also was a referee when the Harlem Globe Trotters came through Pine Ridge.
On February 16, 1950, William was united in marriage to Verena "Fern" Marie Schmitz at St. Boniface Catholic Church. After their wedding, William and Fern farmed northwest of Panama where they eventually retired in 1982.
In January 2002, William became a resident at the Little Flower Haven Nursing Home in Earling, Iowa. It was here that he died on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, having attained the age of ninety-two years, eleven months, and fourteen days. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Fern; his brothers: Herman; Joseph; Msgr. Michael; Sylvan; and Raymond; his sister Bernice Schwarte; and his sister-in-law Peggy Schwarte.
He is survived by his sisters Marie and her husband Joe Sullivan of Panama, Iowa; Caroline Esser of Logan, Iowa and Margaret and her husband Jerry Eipperle of Omaha, Nebraska; his brother Martin Schwarte of Harlan, Iowa; nieces; nephews; other family members and many friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, February 14, 2009, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, Iowa. Rev. John Dorton celebrated the 10:30 AM service. Interment was held at St. Boniface Cemetery in Westphalia with Mike Rosso; Wayne Schwarte; Joe Esser; Jim Schwarte; Jerry Eipperle, Jr.; and Mike Sullivan serving as casket bearers.
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