Laurel Schwartz

January 17, 2021

*Note: Due to the heat, the funeral lunch location has been changed to an indoor setting. A memorial service celebrating the lives of sisters Laurel Schwartz and Judy Taggart both of Wadena, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 24, at the Johnson-Schuller Chapel in Wadena, with Judy’s close friend and pastor, Bonita Orr presiding. Friends and family may gather at the Johnson-Schuller Chapel on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Laurel will be laid to rest immediately following the service in the Wadena cemetery next to her husband Robert. This will be followed by a catered luncheon at Pizza Ranch in downtown Wadena. Laurel, age 86, passed away on January 17th, 2021 at the U of M Hospital in Minneapolis of Covid. Laurel Colette Schwartz was born on November 9, 1934 in the Minneapolis General Hospital and grew up with her parents Dorothy & Arnold and siblings north of Verndale, MN. After graduating high school she went on to attend college at Bemidji State in Minnesota and Greenville Univ. in Illinois earning a degree in Education. She went on to teach in Greenville, Ill., Robbinsdale, Minn. & Pine Island, Minn. for many years. Laurel was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Schwartz on August 13, 1960 and lived in Minneapolis while Robert completed his degree. She went on to live for many years in Rochester, MN, before moving back to Wadena with her husband and son in 1977. She enjoyed many various activities over the years including reading, cooking, sewing, bowling, playing cards and participating in different groups like book clubs and homemakers. She especially loved traveling throughout much of the US, Canada & Europe over the years with family. Writing letters and communicating with many friends, family and acquaintances over the years was a special passion of hers, still communicating with friends from elementary school in Verndale and even with students she had had in her classes as far back as the 1950’s. Preceding Laurel in death were her parents and husband Robert, brother-in-law Jim Taggart and sister-in-law Shirley Denny. She is survived by her son Jeffrey, sister Judy Taggart (since deceased), siblings Jerry (Colene) Peterson and Roberta (Stuart) Pinsky; sisters and brothers-in-law Don (Dee) Schwartz and Dale Denny; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She is greatly missed by family and friends. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Laurel Schwartz please visit our Sympathy Store.