Obituaries 6 December 2017

Denis F. Schwickerath dies at 80

Denis F. Schwickerath, age 80, of Alta Vista, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 05, 2017 at his home in Alta Vista.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Alta Vista with Father Mark Murphy celebrating the mass. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Alta Vista.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017 at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in Elma with a 4:30 p.m. Rosary and a 7 p.m. Scriptural Wake Service. Visitation will continue at the funeral home one hour prior to the funeral mass on Saturday. Online condolences for Denis’s family may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com. Memorials may be directed to the family.
Denis Francis Schwickerath was born January 26, 1937 to William and Rose (Rosonke) Schwickerath in New Hampton. He attended and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in North Washington. After graduating, Denis began working for Galen’s Hatchery as a route salesman and delivery driver and Lyle’s Standard Station in New Hampton. Shortly thereafter he worked for Oliver Corporation in Charles City. On November 7, 1958, Denis was united in marriage to Rosemary Troyna at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Ionia. The couple made their home in Ionia before they purchased their Alta Vista farm in 1966 where they dairy farmed as a family and raised their nine children, Duane, Linda, Lori, Larry, Diane, Jim, Ron, Neil, Connie. While Denis farmed he also took great pride in driving school bus for 40 years in the New Hampton School District. He also served as an Alta Vista city police officer, mayor, and city councilman. Denis remained active in Alta Vista even after retirement. 
He was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, and the NFO (National Farmers Organization). In his spare time he enjoyed dancing with Rosemary and playing the accordion and harmonica. Denis even made a solo album. He took great pride in his family and enjoyed spending time with them. 
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Rosemary Schwickerath of Alta Vista; his children, Duane (Karen) Schwickerath of Waverly, Lori (Kevin) Bridges of Plainfield, Larry Schwickerath of Alta Vista, Diane (Joe) Trewin of Emmetsburg, Ron (Stacy) Schwickerath of Virginia Beach, Va., Neil Schwickerath of Cresco, Connie (Scott) Schwickerath of Buda, Texas; 19 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Coletta (Dan) Geerts of New Hampton, Imelda Schmitt of West Union, Imogene (Howard) Attig of Glenville, Minn., Jane Schwickerath of Waseca, Minn. and Joe (RoseAnn) Schwickerath of New Hampton; his in-laws, Jerry (JoAnne) Troyna of OR, Patsy (Harry) Gilbert of New Hampton, Glen (Jane) Troyna of New Hampton, Nancy (Rich) Gerber of Ionia, Judy (Tom) Tierney of New Hampton and Mike (Shirley) Troyna of New Hampton and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his children, Linda and Jim; his siblings, Gerald, Elaine and Norma; and in-laws, Donny Troyna, David Troyna and Eugene Troyna.

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