Merle Schwartau

Merle Curtis Schwartau, 76 of Red Wing, died Tuesday at his home. He was born September 1, 1929 in Red Wing, the son of Adolph and Edith (Erickson) Schwartau. He graduated from Red Wing Central High School in 1947 and then attended the University of Minnesota attaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture in 1952. He served in the U. S. Army Reserves for 4 years. He married Nancy Blakeslee in Duluth on July 26, 1952. He taught agriculture classes at Adams High School for 1 year and also served as a 4-H extension agent in Mower County. They farmed in Harmony and Northfield before moving to Featherstone Township in 1958 where he was a dairy farmer. He was member of First Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and taught Sunday school. He also served on the Minnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Board, the Goodhue County Farm Bureau, the Goodhue County Holstein Association and also served as a 4-H leader for the Featherstone Boosters. He was a loving father and grandfather. Survivors include his wife, Nancy; five children, Carol (Ray) Olson of St. Paul, Kurt (Lynne) Schwartau of Davis, Calif, Kay (David Betcher) Schwartau of Goodhue, Daniel (Mary Jo Dankers) Schwartau and David (Jane) Schwartau all of Red Wing; four grandchildren, Eric, Jennifer, Alyson and Emily Schwartau; one brother, Neal Schwartau of Rochester and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral will be 2 p. m. Friday at First Lutheran Church with Reverend Carroll Marohl officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bill, Bruce, Chuck and Ron Schwartau, Bruce Simonton and jason Bode. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 8 p. m. Thursday at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and on Friday for one hour prior to the service at the church.