Donald C. Schwartz

Donald C. Schwartz, age 101 of Le Sueur passed away of old age on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at Oak Terrace in Le Sueur. Memorial services will be on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Le Sueur, MN. Visitation will be on Friday, October 16, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Kolden Funeral Home in Le Sueur, MN. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow lunch at Dresselville Cemetery, Sharon Township, Le Sueur County with Military Honors.

Donnie was born on December 22, 1924 to Andrew and Louise (Nuessmeier) Schwartz in Sharon Township, Le Sueur County, baptized and confirmed at St Paul’s Evangelical Church in the small burgh of Dresselville. He attended country school District 28 and graduated from LeSueur High School in 1943. He enlisted in the US Army in January of 1946 and served in the Occupation Forces in Japan at the end of World War II until 1948.

After returning home Donnie joined his father in the trucking business hauling livestock, canning crops and grain. He played baseball with the Dresselville Sluggers until 1957. He was the statistician for the team and had a lifelong interest in everything numbers. Donnie was introduced to Joanne Sautter from LeCenter, through his cousin, Joy Boettcher. They were married November 18, 1957 at St Mary’s Rectory in LeCenter. Together, they had a lovely family of 5 children, 21 grands and 15 great grands.

Donnie continued Schwartz Trucking hauling livestock to South St. Paul and freight of various kinds back to LeSueur until 1988, when son Brian took over. Along with trucking he had a small crop and livestock farm. After retirement, he worked various jobs but mostly at Ray Griep’s Hardware Hank and Trustworthy Hardware, both in LeSueur, until he was 95 and had failing eyes. He enjoyed the Minnesota Twins, liked gardening and reading, and 3:00 coffee at Holiday. Donnie was a wonderful husband and father and a generous provider. He gave his children room and guidance in pursuing their interests. Donnie was known in the community as a gentle and kind man who listened to and cared about others. He will be missed.

Donald is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Joanne, sons; Wayne (Anne Kruse) Schwartz of Le Sueur, Alan (Barb) Schwartz of Le Sueur, Steve (Jeanne) Schwartz of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, (Des Moines), Brian (Sue) Schwartz of Le Sueur and daughter, Judy (Mark) Visness of Woodbury, MN.

Grandchildren of Donald Schwartz: Gail Henning, Barbara Asay, Glendon Schwartz, William Schwartz, Peter Schwartz, Paul Schwartz, Mary Pena, Brett Schwartz, Randi Schwartz, Jessie Schwartz, Lauren Schwartz, Bonnie Schwartz, Kelly Schwartz, Kali Schwartz, Kayla Schwartz, Cassie Schwartz, Christine Schwartz, Laura Schwartz, Benjamin Visness, Daniel Visness, and Noah Visness. Also survived by in-laws Jim and Kathy Sautter.He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ivan (Sue) Schwartz and Darold (Leona) Schwartz and grandson-in-law, Antonio Pena, brothers in law Leonard Sautter and George (Pat) Sautter.