From "1882~1982 Defiance (Iowa) Century Review"
page 162

JOSEPH L. SCHWARTE SR.

Joseph was born at Westphalia on May 23, 1905. His parents were Herman H., born at Westphalia March 25, 1876, and Rose Leenan, born March 22, 1882 at Westphalia. His brothers and sisters are: Frank, Henry, Wilfred, Isidore, Rosetta and Quirina.

On January 24, 1928, Joe and Helen L. Ratigan, born February 11, 1911 at Winner, South Dakota, were married. Helen's parents were Michael and Catherine Hannan Ratigan of Underwood. Her brothers and sisters are: Mary, Catherine, Francis, Pat and Michael.

Joe attended school at Earling and Helen attended school at Panama. Joe and Helen lived on a farm near Defiance for three years (1931~1933), then moved away; they returned in 1942. They retired in November of 1977 and moved to Harlan.

Their children are: Irene married Ed Reischl; Albert married Gay Smith; Harold; Eugene married Marilyn Freund; Sister Madonna de N.D.; Sister Darlene, C.H.M.; Thelma married Gary Smith; Michael; Dwayne married Glenda Kloewer; Karen married Clarence Brinker; Richard married Myrna Juhl; Joe married Vernita Kloewer.

Joe and Helen celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in January of 1978.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Obituary:
Joseph Lawrence Schwarte, Sr., 94
May 23, 1905~January 28, 2000

Joseph Lawrence Schwarte, son of Herman Henry and Rose (Leenan) Schwarte, was born May 23, 1905 on a farm near Westphalia.

When Joe was a small child his parents moved to a farm northwest of Earling, where he grew to manhood. He attended country school and St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Earling. Joe received his first Holy Communion and was confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling.

He helped on the family farm until his marriage January 24, 1928, to Helen Lucille Ratigan at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama. Thirteen children were born to this union. They lived near Earling for several years before moving to their farm near Defiance. In 1967, they retired but continued to live on the farm until 1977, when they moved to Harlan. He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan.

Joe died January 28, 2000, at Mrytue Memorial Hospital at age 94 years, eight months and five days.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, in 1985; an infant daughter; two sons, Eugene and Dwayne; grandson, Dennis Reischl; and great grandson, Caleb Reischl; his brothers, Frank, Wilford and Henry; and his sister, Quirna Bauman.

He is survived by his children, Irene (Edwin) Reischl of Manning; Albert Schwarte (Gay) of Defiance; Harold Schwarte of New Hope Village, Carroll; daughter~in~law, Marilyn Schwarte of Manilla; Sister Madonna Schwarte of Omaha, Nebraska; Sister Darlene Schwarte of Davenport; Thelma Smith of Harlan; Michael Schwarte of New Hope Village, Carroll; daughter~in~law, Glenda Hall of Defiance; Karen (Clarence) Brinker of Harlan; Richard Schwarte (Myrna) of Manilla; Joseph Schwarte (Vernita) of Defiance; 30 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren; his brother, Isidore Schwarte (Meritta) of Harlan; his sister, Rosetta Henricks of Harlan; and other relatives.

A Mass of Christian Burial was concelebrated January 31, 2000, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church with Rev. Howard Fitzgerald celebrant, Rev. Michael Berner and Rev. Fred Reischl concelebrants and Rev. Mr. Pat Davitt assisting.

Burial was in St. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Defiance, with Troy Smith, Terry Schwarte, Trent Smith, Ron Reischl, Dave Schwarte, Gary Reischl, Rick Schwarte, Kevin Brinker and Doug Schwarte serving honorary casket bearers. Casket bearers were Tim Smith, Dameian Schwarte, Todd Smith, Darin Schwarte, Mike Brinker, Vernon Schwarte, John Reischl and Al Schwarte.

Pauley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Find A Grave contributor Marthann Kohl Fuhs