James Milton Schwarze, 91, Glencoe
James Milton Schwarze, 91, of Glencoe, died Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, after a courageous fight with ALS, at his home.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Oct. 14, at 11 a.m., at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe with the Rev. Jon Niebuhr officiating. Jan Heins will be the organist. Congregational hymns will be “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” “Now Thank We All Our God” and “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less.”
Interment will be in the Glencoe City Cemetery.
James Milton Schwarze was born May 1, 1926, in Glencoe, the son of Milton and Caroline (Grenke) Schwarze. He was baptized as an infant and was confirmed in his faith as a youth at the Sumter Methodist Church. He attended rural school in Sumter Township until he enrolled at the Brownton High School, from which he graduated in 1943. In 1944, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, in which he served until 1946. His enlistment opened many opportunities to proudly serve his country in World War II, both in gunner training and in air patrols along both coasts. In the waning months of the war, he did shipboard duty with the Occupational Forces, traveling to Japan and China, seeing the destruction of the war. After his honorable discharge, he returned home and soon began operating his Grandfather Grenke’s farm in Sumter Township.
On June 25, 1950, he was united in marriage to Shirley Wegner at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton. Together, they managed the farm for 47 years. They celebrated 67 years of love and companionship together. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Barry, Julie and Steven.
During Mr. Schwarze’s early farming days, he served on the boards of the Federal Land Bank, Brownton Creamery, church council and was a member of the Western Mounted Paraders Saddle Club. Following retirement, the couple enjoyed learning by traveling the USA and overseas. In 2011, the couple left the farmhouse memories and moved to a townhouse in Glencoe.
Mr. Schwarze enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and morning coffee with friends. He was a faithful walker for years at the Panther Field House. Family was important to him, and he and his wife traveled often to visit them.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Schwarze of Glencoe; children, Barry (Evon) Schwarze of Biscay, Julie Smith of Sterling, North Dakota, and Steven (Caryn) Schwarze of Missoula, Montana; grandchildren, Nathan (Katie) Schwarze, Eric Schwarze, Caitlyn Schwarze, Ryan Brelje, Michael (Mariana) Hatten, Sean Hatten, Charles Schwarze and Molly Schwarze; great-grandchildren, Taylor Schwarze, Parker Schwarze, Ashton Hatten, Liam Hatten, Chelsea Wilson and Koley Brelje; brother, Bill (Liz) Schwarze of Lester Prairie; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Schwarze of Hutchinson and Carol (Paul) Anderson of Duluth; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Caroline Schwarze; brother, Bob Schwarze; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Eleanor Wegner; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Donald and Margie Wegner and Adrian and Renola Wegner; and nephew, Scott Anderson.
Memorial tributes may be made to ALS Association, MN/ND/SD Chapter, 333 N Washington Ave., Suite 105, Minneapolis, MN 55401, or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements were with the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.mcbridechapel.com.
