Marian L. Schwarz

     Marian L. (Sullivan) Schwarz, 104, of Cashton, passed away Thursday, January 18, 2018, at the Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta.  The second of six sisters in the family, she was born in Sparta on October 18th, 1913, to John and Maude (Pottinger) Sullivan.

     Marian lived a very full 104 years, with all of her life dedicated to her family and to teaching. Marian grew up on a farm in Lyons Valley; she started school at the age of 4 and graduated from Sparta High School at the age of 16. She completed teacher training at Tomah Normal School and began her career as a teenager, teaching in rural, one-room schools – difficult, demanding jobs that she enjoyed because she loved the students so much. She married Norbert Schwarz June 25, 1940, in St. Mary’s Ridge, and they raised their four children in Sparta and Cashton and in 1948 bought a dairy farm in rural Cashton that her grandson operates today.

     Marian went on to earn her B.S. and Master degrees from UW-La Crosse and spent many years at the Leon and Southside Schools in the district of Sparta as a teacher and principal. She was widely known as a smart, wise, dedicated teacher and leader - a strict but fair disciplinarian with a good sense of humor and strong spirit. After her retirement, Marian was an active member of the Monroe County Retired Teachers Association and AARP, for which she also served as a trip organizer. She and Norbert enjoyed square dancing, music, and gathering with friends and family. She loved reading and playing cards, visiting with others, and traveling, especially the trip she and her beloved sisters took to Ireland. She was very proud of her Irish heritage, and her family was most important to her. Marian lived in her home through her 103rd year and very much enjoyed watching the daily operations on the farm and staying up to date on what was happening with her family, friends, and in the community.

     Marian is survived by her four children, Daniel (Donna Hansen) Schwarz of La Crosse; Dianne (Ernest) Ferrell of Seattle, WA; David (Diane) Schwarz of Cashton; and John (Barb) Schwarz of Kenosha; her 12 grandchildren; Colleen (Steve) Mikkelson; Amy Schwarz; Daniel “Chip” Schwarz; Ernest (Grace) Ferrell; Erin Ferrell; Sara (Kit) Cook; David (Heidi) Schwarz; Jesse (Lindsi) Schwarz; Rebecca (Keith) Hemmersbach; Anthony (Stephanie) Schwarz; Nicholas (Sheena) Schwarz, and John Paul Schwarz. She is further survived by 28 great-grandchildren: Samuel, Abigail, Jack, Maria, Joseph, Cameron, Ethan, Aiden, Quinn, Ellery, Vincent, Adelaide, Elise, Bradley, Audrina, Isaac, Faith, Noah, Graham, Harrison, Ava, Luke, Caris, Juliet, Livia, Caden, Carter, and Max; brother-in-law, Myron (June) Schwarz; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

     She was preceded in death by her husband, Norbert, her parents, John and Maude, her five sisters, Lucille (Bernard) Brueggeman, Jeannette (Ronald) Poss, Myrtle (LaVern) Weber, Muriel (Loren) Kowitz, and Maude (Alois) Mashak.

      A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with Fr. Keith Kitzhaber officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00am to 11:00am. Burial will be held at a later date in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery.

     The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.  

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