Gerald Schwickerath

Gerald A. Schwickerath age 83 of North Washington, Iowa died Monday evening, April 2, 2012, at his home. A Memorial Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, North Washington with Rev. Mark Osterhaus celebrating the Mass. Lectors for the Mass include Becky Bohr, Tricia Juszczyck, and Katie Bohr. Stacy and Tony Trower will present the offertory gifts. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, North Washington, with Dale Schwickerath, Michael Schwickerath, and June Bohr serving as Urnbearers. Honorary Urnbearers include Stacy Trower, Shaun Schwickerath, Samantha Schwickerath, Shannon Schwickerath, Becky Bohr, Tricia Juszczyck, Jared Bohr, Katie Bohr, Matt Rosenbaum, Carla Rosenbaum, Preston Trower, Addison Trower, Kamdyn Trower, Michaela Schwickerath, Amelia Reddel, and Alex Chevchuc. Friends may greet the family 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday April 9, 2012, at the Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home, New Hampton. Where there will be a 4:00 p.m. Rosary. Gerald Anthony Schwickerath was born January 1, 1929, in New Hampton, Iowa the son of William Michael and Rose Ann (Rosonke) Schwickerath. He received his education at St. Mary’s School in North Washington. He was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic Faith at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Washington. In his youth, Gerald worked for area farmers gaining experience and knowledge about farming. He was inducted into the United States Army on November 4, 1952, at Camp Carson in Colorado. He served in the Korean Conflict, coming back to be an Army Reserve for eight more years. On December 27, 1955, Gerald was united in marriage to Marilyn Burgart at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Washington. To this union three children were born June, Michael and Dale. The couple lived in Waterloo for a year and half after Gerald was discharged from the service while he was working at the Rath Packing Company. They then started farming south of Ionia for a short time before settling on their farm near North Washington. Gerald was a lifetime member of the NRA, long time member of the National Farmers Organization and a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Washington. He will be remembered by his family for his friendliness and his strong work ethic. Gerald is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marilyn; daughter, June (Ron) Bohr of Riceville; two sons, Michael (Robin) Schwickerath of Ionia and Dale (Deb) Schwickerath of New Hampton; ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Denis (Rosemary) Schwickerath of Alta Vista and Joe (Rose Ann) Schwickerath of New Hampton; four sisters, Colletta (Dan) Geerts of New Hampton, Imelda Schmitt of West Union, Jane Schwickerath of Waseca, MN and Imogene (Howard) Attig of Albert Lea, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Elaine Schwickerath and Norma Tuttle.