Donald "Don" Schwecke, 83, of rural Gibbon died, Thursday, February 25, 2010 at the Fairfax Community Home in Fairfax. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Moltke Township, Sibley County with Pastor David Radtke officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 3-8 p.m.. on Tuesday, March 2 at the church and will continue for one hour prior to the time of the service at the church on Wednesday. Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in Gibbon is handling the arrangements.
Don is survived by his wife, Elaine Schwecke of Gibbon; daughters and sons-in-law, Debra and Gerhard Lichtenthaeler of Neunkhausen Germany, Lisa and Alan Cole of Gibbon, Krista and David Woestehoff of Belle Plaine; sons and daughters-in-law, Douglas and Dianne Schwecke of Gibbon, Steven and Shirley Schwecke of Dearborn, Michigan, Randall and Sherrie Schwecke of Gibbon, Marc and Beth Schwecke of Gibbon, Scott and Kim Schwecke of Buffalo Lake; 22 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; sisters and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Clarence Bruns of Gibbon, Lee Hahn of Tucson, Arizona; brother and sister-in-law, Floyd and LaDonna Schwecke of Fon du Lac, Wisconsin; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Evelyn and Virgil Bode of Nicollet, Margie and Ken Biesterfeld of Crete, Illinois, Ruthy and Mike Wiechmann of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Melvin Eichstadt of Austin and by numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Arthur and Viola Schroeder; son, Dale; granddaughter, Molly; brother, Robert; sisters and brothers-in-law, Marion and John Sorebo, Harriet and Orville Graupmann; brother-in-law, Arnold Hahn; sister-in-law, Irene Eichstadt.
Donald Allen Schwecke was born on November 6, 1929 to Dietrich A. and Lydia (Boettcher) Schwecke in Streeter, North Dakota. He attended school at St. Peter's Lutheran School in MoltkeTownship until the 8th grade. On June 29, 1950 he was united in marriage to Elaine Schroeder at Trinity Lutheran Church in Nicollet. Don farmed his entire life in Sibley County on his family farm. He raised prized purebred hogs, winning many local and national hog shows. Don was also on numerous local and national pork boards. He served as District #5 Sibley County Commissioner, thoroughly enjoying his service from 1985-1999. He was a lifelong member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, serving on numerous offices.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, attending grandchildren's events and was an avid Twins and Vikings fan. Above all he enjoyed spending time with his family.
Don was a loving and committed husband, father, and grandfather. He will be sorely missed. Blessed be his memory.
