Warren William Schwab, Sr., 87, passed away on Monday, December 19, 2022, in Aurora, Colorado. He was born December 19, 1935, in Denver, Colorado, the oldest son of Edwin O. Schwab, Sr. & Martha H. (Cox) Schwab.
Warren grew up in East Denver where he attended Montview Elementary School, Smiley Jr High, and East High School. He attended Emily Griffith Opportunity School for welding where he became a master welder. Warren and his family helped build the Montclair Lutheran Church where he was baptized and confirmed. While in high school, Warren was a member of ROTC and where he met his high school sweetheart, Jean Hutton. They married in 1954, in Raton, New Mexico.
Warren worked various jobs throughout his life (oftentimes two and three different jobs throughout the week). He began working at a very young age as a paper boy for the Rocky Mountain News and spent many weekends helping his family create and mend wicker furniture. During his middle school years, Warren learned the skills to repair fine inlay wood furniture at his uncle’s furniture store. In high school, he worked as a mechanic at Oneida Garage where his love for cars grew and he enhanced his skills as an automotive mechanic. After high school, Warren worked for 25 years as a mechanic and mechanic supervisor for Public Service of Colorado. In 1982, he and Jean moved to Garden City, Kansas where Warren worked as a mechanic and maintenance supervisor for Sunflower Electric Cooperative.
The family moved to a country home near Arvada, Colorado in 1956. This is where Warren’s love for farming grew. In 1960, Warren and Jean purchased a farm outside of Brighton, Colorado. During that time, he served as a volunteer firefighter for the West Adams County Volunteer Fire Department, President of the North Washington Water Users Association, and head usher at Zion Lutheran Church in Brighton, Colorado.
Warren was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Garden City, Kansas, the Finney County Historical Society where he enjoyed their programs and activities. He served as a board member for the Finney County Senior Center where he enjoyed the noon meals and programs. His hobbies include hunting elk, deer, turkey, goose, duck, & pheasant; fishing for trout in the Colorado mountains especially on the South Fork of the White River; trap shooting; golfing; and horseshoes where he attended many tournaments throughout Kansas and hosted many years of horseshoe tournaments for Beef Empire Days and the 4th of July tournament in Garden City. Warren and Jean kept busy attending and supporting their grandchildren in their many school and sport activities and attending local auctions.
Survivors include his three children Warren Schwab, Jr. & wife Chloanna of Holly, Colorado, Mick Schwab & wife Nancy of Brunswick, Maine, and Linda Elliott & husband Todd of Aurora, Colorado; two younger brothers Ken Schwab of Aurora, Colorado and Ed Schwab of Loveland, Colorado; and many Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren. Warren is preceded in death by his wife Jean.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Garden City with Pastor Santiago Keinbaum officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may visit from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. The family suggests memorials given to the Finney County Historical Society and the Finney County Senior Center in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be given at garnandfuneralhomes.com.
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Finney County Historical Society
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