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Leo Schwarting, a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away on March 24, 2012, in Anaheim, California.
Donald, Don or Donnie as he was called is survived by his three children Marilyn Schwarting, (twins) Sidney Schwarting and Sharon Warner; son-in-law Steven Warner; grandchildren Michael Warner and Cynthia Warner; and one great-granddaughter Hayden Marie, (daughter of Michael). Don was preceded in death by his wife Adeline (Annie) Bogardus; parents Gus and Gesine (Stolle); three sisters, Christine Herther; Lillian Bender and a baby that died at birth; and three brothers Ernest, Raymond, Laverne.
Donald was born on August 19, 1929, on the family farm west of Hecla. At age 13, he worked at various occupations in the Hecla area to include: farming and construction. Don and his brother Laverne also helped build the Scott Elevator in Hecla.
On October 3, 1949, Donald and Adeline Bogardus exchanged wedding vows. During the first seven years of their married life, they lived in Hecla and farmed with Adeline’s father (Harvey Bogardus) just south of town. In the fall of 1956, the family moved to California. Don worked at various jobs in the Anaheim area … many years at F. E. Olds making valves for brass trumpets; at a cardboard boxing company; carpentry work and finally with his brother-in-law, Kenney at the Schroeder & Bogardus Steel Rule Die Shop.
Donnie and Annie’s hearts were always in Hecla. Every summer they traveled back to Hecla to visit family and friends. In 1994, they purchased a home in Hecla and each year they could not wait to make the trip.
Donald was a very humble man because he’d only gone through 8th grade, but he was a successful and sharp man. Good family values, hard honest worker, generous, loved to tinker; saved for those hard days; and was always willing to lend a hand but never asked for help himself.
His funeral will be held on Friday, April 6, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Hecla, SD, with burial to follow at the Hecla Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday one hour prior to the service at the church.
An on-line guestbook may be signed at www.dahlstromfuneralhome.com