Edmund Otto SCHWARTZWALD, Sr

Notes:

Edmund Otto Schwartzwald, 90, died July 27, 2010.

Edmund was born August 4, 1919 in Pine City to 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 U.S. Coast Guard. He was stationed in Long Island, New York until being transferred to San Francisco in 1943. On December 24, 1944 Ed was united in marriage to Hazel Mortenson in Santa Monica, California. In 1945 Ed was discharged from the Coast Guard.

He and Hazel moved to Litchfield, 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. Ed and Hazel made their home in Osakis for the next 13 years. They were blessed with three children, Connie, Sharon and Edmund Jr.

In 1960 Ed built a Chrysler/Plymouth dealership in Alexandria, 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, Arizona.

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, with whom he celebrated 65 years of marriage; two daughters, Connie Gillis of Welch and Sharon Olson and husband, Bruce, of Welch; six grandchildren, Edmund (Erica) Gillis of Kasson, Kyle (Paula) Gillis of Red Wing, Andrea (Rick) Gossett of Sioux Falls, SD, Dana (Jennifer) Olson of Boulder, CO, Blake Olson of St. Paul, 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; many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held Monday, August 2 at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. The Rev. John Peshek officiated. Randy Morken, the Rev. Michael Dobbins and Paula Odland provided music. Interment followed at Kinkead Cemetery. Casket bearers included all of Eds grandchildren. Honorary casket bearers included Elroy Beliveau, Harlan Campbell, the 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 are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

Edmund married Hazel Angeline MORTENSON on 24 Dec 1944 in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California. Hazel (daughter of Samuel A MORTENSON and Lyla A ELLINGBOE) was born on 18 Jul 1923 in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota; died on 22 Jan 2021 in Minnesota; was buried in Kinkead Cemetery, Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]