Ivan Schwenke

IVAN SCHWENKEIvan Otis Schwenke, 80, of Lewis, passed away Sunday evening, August 15, 2010, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital. He was born August 3, 1930 on a farm northeast of Massena to Arthur and Mable (Karas) Schwenke. He was number three of four brothers that looked like stair steps and a good brother to his two sisters, also. Ivan graduated with the Massena High School Class of 1947, began farming and became a volunteer fireman. He was drafted to serve in the Army during the Korean War in 1952. He was awarded two bronze stars and was honorably discharged in 1954 at the end of the war. Later in life he was presented the Korean War Medal, which was given to him during the summer of 2003 at the Atlantic Veterans Affairs Office. Upon his return, he resumed farming and began working at the Massena Farmers Co-op. Ivan Schwenke met Cheri Beebe at the Atlantic Skating Rink in 1961 and the couple were wed four years later on June 20, 1965. To this union two children, Dean and Robin, were born. The couple resided in the Massena area and attended the Atlantic Church of the Nazarene where Ivan was a long-time member. He was a board member and a Sunday school teacher. In 1972 they moved their family to Colorado Springs, Co, where Ivan began masonry work. They returned to Atlantic in 1979 and settled in Lewis in 1980, where they have resided for the past 30 years. Upon their return here, he continued to do masonry work on the side while working for the Walnut Grove plant until it"s closing, when he changed to Romech of Red Oak for employment. Ivan was a hard worker and enjoyed fishing with his grandkids, being very proud of their accomplishments. He was known for his fine carpentry, woodcrafts, and pumpkin ice cream at the family reunions.He is survived by his wife, Cheri Schwenke of Lewis; his daughter, Robin Marchman (Mark Stanley); son Dean (Donna) Schwenke; grandchildren Brandon Pahl, Bradley Schwenke, Darrian Schwenke, Teah Marchman, and Ethan Marchman all of Atlantic, IA. He was also survived by his brothers, Charles Schwenke of Omaha, NE, and Leroy Schwenke of Massena, IA.; and sister LaVonne Morgan of Atlantic, IA. Preceeding him in death were his sister Loretta Denney; brother Irvin Schwenke; his step-fathers Les Denney and Howard Bicking; nieces Ann Schwenke and Christine Juhl Watson; nephew Todd Allen Beebe and mother-in-law Helen Keller.Funeral Information Open visitation 8am to 5:00pm Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00am until service time.Family Visitation will be held at Rolands Funeral Home 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 17th. The funeral will be held at 1:30 Wednesday August 18th at the funeral home with burial and military services by the Atlantic Color Guard at Oakwood Cemetery at Lewis, with a reception to follow at the First Church of Christ in Atlantic, Iowa.Roland Funeral Service of Atlantic, Iowa is caring for Ivan"s family and the arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com. IN REMEMBRANCEIVAN SCHWENKEBorn August 3, 1930 ENTERED INTO REST August 15, 2010 ~ 80 years and 12 daysFUNERAL SERVICEWednesday, August 18, 2010 ~ One Thirty P.M.Roland Funeral Home Atlantic, IowaOFFICIATINGPastor Jim Hickman The Church of the Nazerene Atlantic, IowaMUSICAL SELECTIONS"Until Then&" ~ "Blessed Assurance&" ~ "Amazing Grace&"PALLBEARERS Chuck Juhl Dick Juhl Jeff Schwenke Bradley Schwenke Chad Martin Darrian SchwenkeHONORARY PALLBEARERSSean Keller Craig Schwenke Bruce Schwenke Brandon Pahl Teah Marchman Ethan Marchman Kenny Mennes Roger SchwenkeRoy Schwenke Gail SchwenkeDISTINGUISHED HONORARY PALLBEAREREarl ChandlerFLOWER COMMITTEETrisha Schwenke Jannalee Coviness Earl and Linda Chandler Laura JuhlINTERMENT Oakwood Cemetery ~ Lewis, IowaLUNCHEONFamily and Friends are invited to First Church of Christ Across from the Fire Station in Atlantic