The Harlan Tribune

Harlan, Iowa

Wednesday, January 15, 1986

THE LIFE STORY OF —

Helen L.

Schwarte, 74

Helen Lucille Schwarte the daughter

of Michael and Catherine Hannan Ratigan

was born Feb 25,1911 at Gregory, S.D. She

died at Myrtue Memorial hospital, Harlan,

on Thursday. Dec. 19,1985 at age 74 years,

9 months and 25 days.

She was baptized at the Catholic

church in Gregory, S.D. As a young girl,

she moved with her parents to Panama,

where she received her First Communion

and was confirmed at St Mary's Catholic

church. She attended school and grew to

adulthood at Panama.

On Jan. 24, 1928, she married Joseph

Schwarte at St. Mary's Catholic church in

Panama, 13 children were born lo this

union. After they were married they

farmed near Defiance. In 1967 they

retired, but continued to live on the farm

until 1977, when they moved to Harlan.

This has been their home since that time.

She was a member of St Michael's

Catholic church in Harlan

In addition to her parents, she was

preceded in death by two sons, Eugene and

Dwayne, an infant daughter, one grandson,

Dennis Reischl, one sister, Mary

Byrnes, and two brothers Francis and

Michael Ratigan She is survived by five

daughters Irene (Mrs. Ed) Reischl of Manning,

Sr. Madonna Schwarte of Omaha,

Ne., Sr. Darlene Schwarte of Davenport,

Thelma (Mrs. Garry) Smith and Karen

(Mrs. Clarence) Brinker both of Harlan,

five sons, Albert of Defiance, both Harold

and Mike of Carroll, Richard of Manilla

and Joe of Defiance, 30 grandchildren and

three great granddaughters, one sister,

Kathryn (Mrs. Earl) Cotter of St Paul,

Minn. and one brother Pat Ratigan of

Panama, nieces, nephews and other

relatives.

A concelebrated mass of Christian

burial was celebrated at St. Michael's

Catholic church Harlan on Saturday Dec.

21, 1985 with the Rev. David Polich, celebrant,

and Rev. Lawrence Beeson

Rev. Fred Reischl, Msgr. Michael

Schwarte, Rev. Martin G. Chevalier and

Deacon Pat Davitt concelebrating.

Burial was in the Sts. Peter and Paul

cemetery in Defiance with Kevin Brinker,

David Schwarte, Tim Smith, Gary

Reischl, Vernon Schwarte, Alan Schwarte,

Todd Smith and John Reischl serving as

casketbearers.

Pauley Funeral Home was in charge

of arrangements.