Jacob Schwarze, 35, of Stewart

Jacob Schwarze

Jacob ‘Jake’ Schwarze, 35, of Stewart, passed away Friday, Dec. 28, at his home.
Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 4, 11 a.m. at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Hutchinson with interment in Sumter Cemetery, Sumter Township, at a later date.
Rev. Paul Woolverton was the officiating clergy.
Bev Wangerin was the organist. Keith Tongen was the soloist and performed – “Peace in the Valley” and “In the Garden.” “Amazing Grace,” was the congregational hymn.
David Klinkner, Josh Klinkner, Steve Lancaster, Jason Redmann, Dave Seifert, and Kurt Olson were casket-bearers.
Jacob ‘Jake’ Schwarze was born Aug. 13, 1983, in Buffalo. He was the son of Allen ‘Bear’ Schwarze and Diane (Bell) Schwarze. Jake was baptized as an infant at Zion Methodist Church in Brownton. He received his education in Brownton, and was a graduate of the McLeod West High School, Class of 2002. He continued his education at Ridgewater College in Willmar, receiving his degree in auto mechanics.
Mr. Schwarze was employed as an auto technician at Crow River Auto in Hutchinson for 16 years. He was an active member and past board member of the Brownton Rod and Gun Club.
As a child, Mr. Schwarze lived in Brownton and later moved to Stewart. Gardening and fishing were a few of his favorite hobbies along with showing his pony “Snow Ball.” Mr. Schwarze also enjoyed garden tractor pulling with his uncle and aunt, Mark and JoAnn. Mr. Schwarze won a regional championship in 1999 with his Toro Wheelhorse tractor, “Showtime.”
Mr. Schwarze hunted bear with his neighbor and good friend, Sheridan Petersen, shooting a 250-pound bear. He enjoyed talking farming with Mr. Petersen. Mr. Schwarze loved jigsaw puzzles and children, and children loved him. He kept his bird feeders full so they would come in and feed. A favorite of his was a family of cardinals that nested in a nearby tree.
In the summer months, Mr. Schwarze would get the grill and smoker ready making delicious grilled turkeys, steaks, and burgers, smoked salmon and beef sticks.
Mr. Schwarze cherished time spent with his family and friends. Above all, he loved to socialize.
Mr. Schwarze passed away Friday, Dec. 28, at his home, at the age of 35 years. Blessed be his memory.
Mr. Schwarze is survived by his mother, Diane Schwarze of Stewart; uncles, Kirk Bell of Stewart, Wayne Schwarze and his wife, Geri, of Brownton; aunts, JoAnn Bishman, and her husband, Mark, of Stewart, Sharon Schwarze of Hutchinson, Barb Holmberg of Pennsylvania; special friend, Laura Mallak and her son, Tobias, of Biscay; many cousins and friends.
Mr. Schwarze is preceded in death by his father, Allen ‘Bear’ Schwarze; cousins, Brian Schwarze, Paul Ketchersid, and Tim Holmberg; aunts, Norma Ketchersid, Cindy Meyer, and Ronda Bell; uncles, Thomas Schwarze, and Gerald Schwarze.
The Dobratz-Hantge Chapels in Hutchinson handled the arrangements. Its Web site is www.hantge.com [1] where online obituaries and guestbook are available.