Kim Schwich

Kim Schwich, age 59 of Green Isle, passed away on February 28, 2024. Funeral service will be at 11a.m. on Saturday, March 9, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Green Isle. Rev. Eric Rapp will officiate. Visitation will be from 4-7p.m. on Friday, March 8, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Green Isle. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday morning. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Kim Louise Schwich, born Kim Louise Welker on March 6,1964, to Carl and Doris Welker of Litchfield, MN. Kim was the youngest of six children. She always reminded her parents that they saved the best for last. This idea was often challenged by her siblings, but she knew the truth. Kim was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Litchfield, MN. Kim graduated from Litchfield High School in 1982. After high school, Kim married Dennis Sheets. They had two boys: Robbie and Shane and later gained custody of Dennis’ son, Corey. Even though the marriage dissolved in 1998, her boys remained her pride and joy.

On May 15,2010 Kim married the love of her life, David Schwich. Together the families joined as one with six children, ten grandchildren and two angels that watched from above. Kim had a very special place in her heart for her two dogs, Lucy, and Sissy. She’d often referred to them as ‘her girls.’  They filled the home with love and laughter.

Kim’s work history involved selfless service in Nursing homes, Meeker County Community Homes, Lutheran Social Service, Woodland Centers and served as the Executive Director of Partners in Friendship located in Hutchinson, MN. Kim started her career as a volunteer for the Salvation Army and later took it on as her full-time position for 23 years. Kim dedicated her life to service, helping those who were at their lowest point, giving them true hope and acceptance.

As a woman of service, volunteering was also something that filled her time. From bringing awareness of domestic violence in schools to youth and young adults to creating programs for the elderly. She was a lifetime member of the Litchfield VFW Auxiliary. When Kim moved, she joined the Green Isle Lions Club. She was proud to be a part of the community and impact the place she called home. Kim was instrumental in the building of the Green Isle Veteran’s Park, Holiday gift donations, coat drives, food distribution, Santa Day and created the free monthly Community Connect Dinners.

During her disaster deployments she would often witness “the best in people when a disaster came.”  She loved to point out an unscathed flower after a devastating storm, strangers coming together in solidarity, and bonding as family in the wreckage. She assisted in tornados, floods, high winds, explosions, Hurricane Katrina, and 9/11 clean up.

Kim loved people. She was able to see them from the inside, where their heart resided. This made it very easy for her to make friends and keep long-term friendships. She could walk into a room and leave with one if not two friends. Kim had a passion for finding a sweet deal. She knew where every thrift store was in each corner of the state. If you were looking for something specific, she could find it.

Let us not forget her love for music. You'd know it when you got into her car and the stereo would be playing at full blast. Every morning, she would turn off the news and turn up the music. To her the only way to start the day was with a song.

Kim was preceded in death by her father, Carl Lee Welker, grandson Alexander Nicholas Patton Sheets, step-granddaughter, Namie Marie Schwich. She is survived by her mother, Doris Welker, loving husband, David Schwich, biological sons, Robbie ( Katherine) Sheets, and Shane (Sarah) Sheets, step-children Corey Sheets, Jermiah (Angela) Schwich, Matthew (Jolene) Schwich, Kimberly Schwich ( special friend Shawn Ryan), 10 grandchildren Elijah, Emma Riley, Arianna, Kaydence, Chirstopher, Spencer, Emma Rae, Josh, AJ, and Alicia, great granddaughter, Serenity Rose, and ‘the girls’ Lucy & Sissy; siblings Richard (Mary) Welker, Diane( Sidney) Lund, Robert (Tammy) Welker, Donald (Sharon) Welker, David (Cindy) Welker; many nieces and nephews; and the oh so many people that she impacted in her service.

Kim will be sorely missed.