1924
Bernice
2014
Bernice Schwartau
June 20, 1924 — December 11, 2014
Bernice J. Gustafson Schwartau, 90, of Red Wing, died peacefully Thursday, December 11, 2014 at her home at Deer Crest. She was born on June 20, 1924, in Red Wing to Wilhelm and Nellie (Lambert) Gustafson.
As a high school student, Bernice moved to town during the school year working for various families and for Bubby & Mae Borgen's Store and Restaurant to achieve uninterrupted education. She graduated in 1942 from Red Wing Central High School. Prior to graduation, Bernice began work at Citizen's Fund Insurance and worked there through 1945. This year to celebrate her 90th birthday, Bernice received a tour of her former working place. A distinctive memory for Bernice during her career was the one word THINK above the window where the receptionist greeted people.
On February 1, 1946 during a snow storm, she married John Schwartau at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church of Welch. They farmed in Featherstone Township from 1946 until 1987 on their century farm until their retirement. Research on this farm contributed to the GPS/GIS use for fertilization/yield mapping used in farming today. In 1997 they moved to Red Wing and in 2012 they moved to Deer Crest. John died on October 12, 2012 at age 89 10/12.
Bernice devoted her life to family and the wider community, and enjoyed sharing her hospitality with all - for impromptu family gatherings as well as hosting Schwartau relatives from Germany. Bernice was active with Rural Youth (where she met John over a burned batch of cocoa), a 4-H leader & kitten ball manager for the Featherstone Boosters, a township election judge, as well as offices in Featherstone Happy Circle Home Makers Group, and the Goodhue County Extension Planning Committee along with the Farm Bureau and SE District Extension Planning Committee. She also was active in political campaigns. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Red Wing and was active in the Lutheran Guild. She was co-founder and coordinator of the St. John's Hospital Surgical Hostess Program and Chair of its Legislative Committee. Bernice collected Red Wing Pottery, and with John conducted research and fundraising to recognize the first area potter, John Paul, and the Claybank clay pits with a historical marker on Highway 58.
Bernice is survived by one daughter, Judy Schwartau of Minneapolis; one brother, Donald F. (Joyce) Gustafson of Red Wing along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; John, her husband of 66 years; sisters, Norma and Lucille; brother Carl, and many in-laws.
Funeral will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Red Wing with Rev. Todd Engel officiating. Burial will be in the Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, December 15, at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and at the church for one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to the church or Goodhue County Historical Society. Online condolences may be sent to www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
602 Plum Street P.O. Box 111
Red Wing, MN 55066
423 East Ave
Red Wing, MN
423 East Ave
Red Wing, MN
As a high school student, Bernice moved to town during the school year working for various families and for Bubby & Mae Borgen's Store and Restaurant to achieve uninterrupted education. She graduated in 1942 from Red Wing Central High School. Prior to graduation, Bernice began work at Citizen's Fund Insurance and worked there through 1945. This year to celebrate her 90th birthday, Bernice received a tour of her former working place. A distinctive memory for Bernice during her career was the one word THINK above the window where the receptionist greeted people.
On February 1, 1946 during a snow storm, she married John Schwartau at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church of Welch. They farmed in Featherstone Township from 1946 until 1987 on their century farm until their retirement. Research on this farm contributed to the GPS/GIS use for fertilization/yield mapping used in farming today. In 1997 they moved to Red Wing and in 2012 they moved to Deer Crest. John died on October 12, 2012 at age 89 10/12.
Bernice devoted her life to family and the wider community, and enjoyed sharing her hospitality with all - for impromptu family gatherings as well as hosting Schwartau relatives from Germany. Bernice was active with Rural Youth (where she met John over a burned batch of cocoa), a 4-H leader & kitten ball manager for the Featherstone Boosters, a township election judge, as well as offices in Featherstone Happy Circle Home Makers Group, and the Goodhue County Extension Planning Committee along with the Farm Bureau and SE District Extension Planning Committee. She also was active in political campaigns. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Red Wing and was active in the Lutheran Guild. She was co-founder and coordinator of the St. John's Hospital Surgical Hostess Program and Chair of its Legislative Committee. Bernice collected Red Wing Pottery, and with John conducted research and fundraising to recognize the first area potter, John Paul, and the Claybank clay pits with a historical marker on Highway 58.
Bernice is survived by one daughter, Judy Schwartau of Minneapolis; one brother, Donald F. (Joyce) Gustafson of Red Wing along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; John, her husband of 66 years; sisters, Norma and Lucille; brother Carl, and many in-laws.
Funeral will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Red Wing with Rev. Todd Engel officiating. Burial will be in the Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, December 15, at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and at the church for one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to the church or Goodhue County Historical Society. Online condolences may be sent to www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
Visitation
DEC 15. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CST)
Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel602 Plum Street P.O. Box 111
Red Wing, MN 55066
Visitation
DEC 16. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CST)
St. John's Lutheran Church - Red Wing423 East Ave
Red Wing, MN
Service
DEC 16. 11:00 AM (CST)
St. John's Lutheran Church - Red Wing423 East Ave
Red Wing, MN
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