Kenneth Henry Schwarze

“We first understand death when He puts His hand on the shoulder of the one we love.”

Kenneth H. Schwarze, 95 of Milo, passed away on Friday, November 6, 2015 at Morning Star Senior Living Center. Dad was born on October 14, 1920, the second of seven children to George and Lillian (Keinker) Schwarze in Idaho Falls, which was known as “Eagle Rock” at that time. He grew up on the family farm in Milo, where he spent his whole life, and attended school through the eighth grade at the Milo schoolhouse that was located in the pasture on the family farm. He left school after the eighth grade to go to work on the family farm. He served in the United States Army from 1946 – 1947 in Korea and upon his return, he continued to farm and raise beef cattle. In March 1957, he married Carol Bauerle and in 1958, they purchased the family farm and welcomed the first of their two daughters, Kathryn; and Marilyn joined the family in 1960.

Dad was passionate about farming and tending to his cattle. He was serious about doing a job well and taking pride in your work. You didn’t get anything in life unless you worked for it. These are traits that he passed on to his family as well as many young people around him. He was well known in the area for his tall tiered haystacks that he hand stacked with the help of a derrick, his family and a hired hand until the late 1970’s when he purchased a stack wagon. He was named “Bonneville County Grassman of the Year” in 1967. He continued farming until he retired at the age of 80. The girls began fiddling in 1971 and mom and dad enjoyed traveling to various locations in Idaho where they loved to dance to the fiddle music. Dad was a man that preferred a humble existence and the simple pleasures of life. He loved to read and visit with neighbors, friends and family, especially with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a proud member of the Rigby Community Presbyterian Church.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of over 58 years: Carol; two daughters: Kathryn (Tom) Bonn of Carmen, ID and Marilyn (Allen) Swan of Hazelton, ID; three grandchildren: Alanna (David) Shuldberg, Kenneth Bonn, Austin (Lindsy) Stigile; three great-grandchildren: Baylee, Brooklyn and Ryker Shuldberg; all of Pocatello, ID. He is also survived by one brother David (Irma) Schwarze of Boise, ID; and one sister Dawn Peterson of Idaho Falls. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Weston and Robert; and two sisters: Leila Bendixson and Ina Oyler.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Rigby Community Presbyterian Church family, the Teton Post-Acute Care and Rehabilitation Center, Morning Star Reflections Care Unit, Encompass Hospice and our many neighbors and friends and family for your love, care and support of our family during this time.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at the Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home, 825 E 17th Street in Idaho Falls with Pastor Jim Perry officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2015 and from 12:00 – 12:45 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery with Military Honors by the United States Army and the Bonneville County Veteran’s Team. Condolence messages and family memories may be left for the family at www.buckmillerhann.com . In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be in Kenneth’s name to a favorite charity.

“ ‘Til we meet again…”