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Glenn A. Schwoch

1928 - 2011

 

Glenn A. Schwoch, 83, of Watertown, passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2011, at Willowbrook Nursing and Rehabilitation in Lake Mills.

 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home and Cremation Service led by Steve Jones.  Burial, with military graveside rites by American Legion Post No. 189, will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.

 

Family and friends may call on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home.  The family will greet well-wishers after the committal service at the Upper Krust.

 

Glenn was born on Jan. 4, 1928, in Port Washington, son of Adolph and Adelia (Brabender) Schwoch.  He served in the United States Army during World War II in Japan and Korea.  On April 30, 1949, he married the former Harriet Ehrendreich at Bay Shore Lutheran Church in Whitefish Bay.

 

Glenn was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.  In 1953, they moved to Watertown, where he had been an industrial arts teacher at Watertown High School.  He loved interacting with students and spent more than 30 years teaching in his shop classroom.  He also taught at the vocational school during his early years in Watertown.  Glenn and Harriet were the first co-presidents of PALS, the forerunner to the Friends of the Library group.  He served on the Oak Hill Cemetery board, Watertown Streetscape committee and Watertown Transit committee.  He had been a volunteer for the Watertown Hospital Auxiliary.  He also was a member of the Watertown school board after he retired from teaching.  One of his favorite endeavors while serving as president of the school board was to help oversee the building of the new high school, which was finished on time and on budget.

 

Survivors include his wife, Harriet; their children, Dr. James (Mimi White) Schwoch of Evanston, Ill., and Heidi (Jeff Rammelt) Schwoch of Watertown; two grandsons, Travis White-Schwoch and John Rammelt; a brother, Darrell (Lucy) Schwoch of Brookfield; a nephew, Bob Schwoch; other relatives and friends.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents.

 

Memorials to Oak Hill Cemetery would be appreciated.

 

Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 500 Welsh Road Watertown

 

Harriet Schwoch

1929 - 2017

 

Harriet Schwoch lived a life full of joy that she shared with the world.  The life she had on earth ended on Saturday, May 6, 2017.  But the joy she shared continues on in the hearts of her family and friends.  

 

Harriet was born on May 4, 1929, and grew up in Shorewood.  But she lived most of her 88 years in Watertown, the place she and her husband chose to spend their lives.  Harriet Ehrendreich married Glenn A. Schwoch on April 30, 1949.  They were parents to James Schwoch (Mimi White) and Heidi Schwoch (Jeffery Rammelt).  Later on they were delighted to have two grandsons, Travis White-Schwoch and John Rammelt, join the family.

 

Besides her family, Harriet had two things she was passionate about: children and the Constitution of the United States. She chose a profession that allowed her to enjoy both those things: teaching.  She was a special education teacher for many years in the Watertown school district.  She also taught some summer school classes and fifth grade for a short time.  One of the subjects she most enjoyed teaching was what used to be called civics.  Although most of her students were very young, she taught them the rights and responsibilities of being an American citizen.  Each year, her class wrote a letter to one of our elected representatives, learning about the roles of mayors, legislators, congressmen and presidents.  Many of those officials responded, sending her class their pictures to hang on her classroom walls.

 

Harriet was also able to pursue her interests with two terms as a Jefferson County supervisor after she retired from teaching.  She was very proud and excited to be a delegate to the 1996 Democratic National Convention and was honored to attend the inauguration of President Bill Clinton.  She whole-heartedly, embraced the Constitution, particularly the First Amendment.  Among her great joys in life were writing letters to the editor and attending rallies, marches and stand-ins.  Her dedication to children often led her to protest war and stand up for peace.

 

Because of its impact on children, she had a lifelong interest in politics.

 

She was very involved with her community on a local level.  She and her husband were the co-founders of PALS, now called the Friends of the Watertown Public Library.  Among other things, she also was a Girl Scout leader, active in the League of Women Voters, a volunteer at Watertown Memorial Hospital for many years and a supporter of Rock River Rescue.

 

Besides her husband, Harriet outlived her six sisters and brothers.  But she is survived by many nieces and nephews who gave her the large family she loved so much.  She is also survived by a brother-in-law, Darrell Schwoch, and a sister-in-law, Mary Ehrendreich.  Harriet had many friends in the area who she loved very much.  

 

The Schwoch family would like to thank all of those friends for the love and enjoyment they added to her life.

 

A memorial service for Harriet will be held Saturday at Hafemeister Funeral Home. Visitation will be at 11 a.m.  The service will be held at noon. A short interment service will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watertown, followed by a lunch at the Two Sisters Cafe.

 

Hafemeister Funeral Home and Cremation Service 611 E. Main St. Watertown

 

 

 

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