Pastor Richard W. Schwarz

Pastor Richard W. Schwarz, 90, of Elwood, Nebraska, passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at Golden Living Center in Cozad. Richard Walter Schwarz was born January 2, 1923, to Matthaeus and Katherine (Weisz) Schwarz, on a farm southwest of Hazen, North Dakota. He graduated from Wartburg College of Waverly, Iowa in 1946, and then from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, with a Master of Divinity degree in 1952. He married Vera E. Hock of Strawberry Point, Iowa in July 1951. This union was blessed with four children, Jonathan, Kathryn, Joel and Steven. Following graduation from seminary, Richard was ordained at Peace Lutheran Church, Hazen, N.D., July 13, 1952. He served congregations in Kulm, Jud and Fredonia, N.D. The family then moved to Parkston, S.D. in 1957, where he served for 12 ½ years. He then accepted a call to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eustis, Nebraska and was there for 7 years before accepting a call to Long Lake, S.D. He retired from full-time ministry in 1988, when he and Vera retired to Elwood, Nebraska. Since his retirement, Pastor Schwarz served as interim pastor in over 30 different parishes through the ELCA’s Nebraska Synod. Sometimes the road was very rough and he learned that thus the Lord lead in the refining of his instruments. But always God’s promises were a sure and faithful guide and the joys and satisfactions outweighed the disappointments. Surviving Pastor Schwarz are his wife, Vera of Elwood Care Center; sons, Jonathan (Carolyn) Schwarz of Lincoln, Nebraska; Joel (Maria) Schwarz of Layton, Utah, and Steve Schwarz of Arapahoe, Nebraska; daughter, Kathy Gundell of Eustis, Nebraska; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, Jeremy (Brooke) Schwarz and Gavin of Lincoln, Nebraska, Jennifer (Dayne) Crawford and Brooklynn of Goodyear, Arizona; Amanda (Bryant) Brockmeier and Lane, Baxter, Evan, Reid, and Jennae of Eustis, Nebraska; James (Gwen) Gundell and Turner and Jaxson of Gothenburg, Nebraska; Christopher Schwarz of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Adam (Jessica) Schwarz and Jaleigh and Reese of Suffolk, Virginia; Danielle Schwarz and fiancé, Scott Woodstock of Logan, Utah; and, Samuel Schwarz of Layton, Utah; his sisters, Pauline (Melvin) Brinkmeyer of Eureka, S.D. and Eva (Richard) Neikirk of Gahanna, Ohio; brother-in-law, Pastor A.L. (Gerda) Hock of Strawberry Point, Iowa; as well as many nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Emil, Martin, Wilhelm, and Bernhard; and sisters, Helen Zenker and Maria Scheid. A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 23, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eustis, Nebraska with Reverend Beverly Rautenberg-Panko officiating. Burial will be held prior to the memorial service at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery at Eustis. Visitation will be Friday, March 22, 2013, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eustis. Memorials are suggested to Oaks Indian Mission – Oaks, Oklahoma. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.