Lloyd Schwartz

The Mass of Christian burial for Lloyd Schwartz of Wadena, will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 11, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena. Visitation will be held at the Schuller Family Funeral Homes’ Johnson-Schuller Chapel in Wadena on Monday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 6:00 and Prayers at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume at the church on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Lloyd, age 92, peacefully passed away on the morning of October 4th, 2022, at the Veterans Home in Fergus Falls. He always remained positive while struggling with the effects of a muscle disease known as IBM for over 20 years. Lloyd Vincent Schwartz was born April 20, 1930, one of five children born to Vincent and Catherine (Evertz) Schwartz on a farm in Leaf River Township, Wadena County, MN. He attended country school District 53 and completed two years at Wadena High School, before being taken out to work on the family farm. Lloyd was happy to brag about placing first in the Minnesota Quiz competition as the District 53 representative. In 1950, he worked for a farmer in Churchs Ferry, ND, until being drafted into the U.S. Army on February 28, 1952. He served as a medic in the Korean War as a member of the 23rd regiment 2nd Infantry Division until his honorable discharge on November 27, 1953, at Fort Lewis, WA. He was a Sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Medical Badge, U.N. Service Ribbon, and the Korean Service Ribbon with three campaign stars. In 1954, Lloyd met Joanne Damm and on May 29, 1956, they were married at St. Hubert Catholic Church in Bluegrass, MN. They resided in Wadena where they raised their six children. Over the years, their family grew with the addition of 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Lloyd began his very long truck driving career with over 5 million miles logged (give or take a few). He drove for a number of companies over the years including Northern Co-op/Cenex, Raymond Cossette Trucking, Russ Davis, and Wadena Saw Mills, just to name a few. While at Raymond Cossette Trucking, he was named Driver of the Year and was awarded a gold ring and a Caribbean cruise. He continued driving well into his 70’s. Lloyd was a kind and gentle man who loved to tell you his latest joke! After retiring, he spent countless hours at McDonalds with his many coffee buddies. Later, Joanne kept up this tradition by providing coffee and treats at the house to his regular visitors. He enjoyed talking with old and new neighbors and there were even a few pranks played on each other. As the old saying goes, “we came as strangers, and we left as friends”. He would treat you with the same kindness and respect if he knew you for 50 years or 5 minutes. We sometimes believe he may have known someone’s family tree better than they did! He loved playing cards, dancing, watching Lawrence Welk, and he was a huge fan of Judge Judy. When he wasn’t at McDonalds, you could find him at an auction sale picking up another “bargain box” to display in his back garage. He rarely missed a Mass and would always be in the car honking the horn for the rest of the family to get in. Lloyd is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joanne; daughter Karen (Dave) Wells of Alexandria, MN; son Michael Schwartz of Wadena, MN; son Gerald Schwartz of Pine River, MN; daughter Kathy (Paul) Weber of Madison, MN; daughter Diane Stroot of New York Mills, MN; and daughter Mary Jo (Mike) Brockpahler of Sebeka, MN; 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Julie (John) Karl of Moorhead, MN; sisters-in-law, Elaine Nyberg, Irene Politiske, Marge Kern, Delores Stigman, Deb (Doug) Wright, Paula Damm; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Vincent and Catherine Schwartz; parents-in-law Eugene and Catherine Damm; his siblings Marcella Kain, Jerome Schwartz, and Lorraine Brill; son-in-law Fred Stroot; brothers-in-law Orville Kain, Bob Brill, John Nyberg, Rich Politiske, Frank Kern, Dave Stigman, and Earl Damm; sister-in-law Betty Schwartz. Our thanks to staff members and volunteers at Perham Living and Fergus Falls VA for your loving and respectful care of Lloyd throughout his last 5 years. Lloyd will be remembered for his sense of humor, work ethic, and as a good provider and role model. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Wadena, MN. Memorials may be directed to the Minnesota Veterans Home. (1821 N Park St, Fergus Falls, MN 56537 https://mn.gov/mdva/homes/fergus-falls/contribute.jsp )

Lloyd Schwartz

April 20, 1930 - October 4, 2022