Edmund Schwartzwald

Edmund Otto Schwartzwald was born on August 4, 1919 in Pine City, MN, the son of Gustav and Mathilda (Braun) Schwartzwald. He grew up and was schooled at Pine City. In 1936 Ed went to Minneapolis where he received a degree through Dunwoody Institute. Ed then moved to California and worked as a mechanic for Lockheed Aircraft. In the spring of 1941 Ed entered the service with the US Coast Guard. He was stationed in Long Island, NY until being transferred to San Francisco in 1943. On December 24, 1944 Ed was united in marriage to Hazel Mortenson in Santa Monica, CA. In 1945 Ed was discharged from the Coast Guard. He and Hazel moved to Litchfield, MN where Ed joined his brother, Oscar, in business. They built a new car dealership, which they operated together until 1947 when Ed purchased the Desoto-Plymouth dealership in Osakis, MN. Ed and Hazel made their home in Osakis for the next thirteen years. They were blessed with three children, Connie, Sharon and Edmund, Jr. In 1960 Ed built a Chrysler/Plymouth dealership in Alexandria, MN where the family made their home. In 1977 Ed sold this dealership to Jack Juettner. Ed retired to his home on Lake Carlos. For a time Ed enjoyed owning and flying a Cessna 170. He also enjoyed spending time fishing, hunting, and gardening. Ed worked on woodworking projects and liked playing cards with friends and family. Old and antique automobiles also fascinated him. Ed and Hazel spent their winters in Tucson, AZ. On Tuesday, July 27, 2010 Ed died at the age of ninety years. He was preceded in death by his son Edmund Schwartzwald, Jr.; three brothers, Walt, Clarence and Oscar Schwartzwald; and two sisters, Adeline Nordstrom and Esther Trenda. Ed is survived by his wife Hazel whom he celebrated sixty-five years of marriage; two daughters, Connie Gillis of Welch, MN and Sharon Olson and husband, Bruce, of Welch; six grandchildren, Edmund (Erica) Gillis of Kasson, MN, Kyle (Paula) Gillis of Red Wing, MN, Andrea (Rick) Gossett of Sioux Falls, SD, Dana (Jennifer) Olson of Boulder, CO, Blake Olson of St. Paul, MN and Brock Olson of St. Paul; seven great grandchildren, Lydia Gillis, Peter Gillis, Braeden Gillis, Owyne Gillis Mikyle Gossett, Max Olson and Emma Olson; sisters, Lucille Tobeck and Jane Schwartzwald; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held Monday, August 2, 2010 at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Rev. John Peshek officiated. Randy Morken, Rev. Michael Dobbins and Paula Odland provided music. Interment followed in the Kinkead Cemetery. Casket bearers included all of Ed?s grandchildren. Honorary casket bearers included Elroy Beliveau, Harlan Campbell, Rev. Michael Dobbins, Don Hustad, Harry Johnson, Don Kingston, Ron Schwartzwald and Ralph Townsend. Military honors were provided by American Legion Post 87 and VFW Post 936. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home.