Donald G. Schwaab

Don Schwaab was a man with a strong sense of duty and honor, who never did things halfway. Whether it was defending his country, building his business, or caring for his beloved family, Don devoted himself to the task at hand, holding nothing back. Don was also a gracious host, loved and delighted in children and dogs, and cared deeply for the people in his life. His life stands as a testament to the power of hard work and determination, but also reveals a man who had the wisdom to know that family and friends are worth more than any material achievement. Don’s kindness, strength, and dedication touched and inspired many over the years; he was deeply loved, and will be deeply missed.

For the United States, the 1920s were a time of economic prosperity and changing social values, including new rights for women, the popularization of radio, and increasing consumerism. Don was born in the middle of this exciting decade, on October 14, 1925, at a time when the average car cost $375, a house $8,500, and a half-gallon of milk went for 28 cents.

Don’s proud parents, George and Margaret Schwaab, lived in the picturesque town of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, just off the coast of Lake Michigan. Although Don was their first-born child, four years later he would become a big brother to the twins, Pat and Terry. The Schwaab kids grew up in a beautiful Lannon stone house that George had built only blocks away from the shoreline. Don had a very happy childhood, filled with swimming and sailing on Lake Michigan as a Sea Scout, family vacations in Door County, and earning pocket money with a paper route.

During his senior year at Lincoln High School, Don decided to serve his country by joining the U.S Navy. Along with two buddies from high school, he enlisted with his parents’ blessing on October 1, 1943, thirteen days before his eighteenth birthday. He was graduated from Lincoln High School in 1944 with his class since all who enlisted during their senior year were granted diplomas.

Don went through boot camp in Idaho and went on to Oklahoma A&M, where he was trained as a radar operator and repairman. He was assigned to a ship, LST 724, and rode down the Ohio River to the Mississippi River, through the Panama Canal, and docked at San Diego. It wasn’t long before orders came sending the LST 724 to the South Pacific, and Don saw action at Iwo Jima, Saipan, and Okinawa. Don was honorably discharged on June 7, 1946, as a RDM2C.

Back in the States, Don settled down in the Midwest and worked in electronics. He married and moved to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, where his parents had established an orange grove business. After working as a milkman for four years, Don, by this time a proud father, returned to the Midwest to work in various sales positions. Eventually, however, the extensive travelling required for his job and all the time spent away from his growing family convinced Don to start his own business. In 1970, he established Belle Coffee Service and Break Time Coffee Service. Business was brisk, and Don soon moved from his basement to office and warehouse space on Douglas Avenue. Being his own boss allowed Don the freedom to take his sons on fishing trips to Canada, and to take the entire family on annual vacations to a rented cottage in northern Wisconsin.

In 1985, Don married Patricia Hansen, and began to reduce his involvement in the business. In 1990 he officially retired, and sold Belle Coffee Service to his son, Don, who had worked for him for many years. He continued to work for his son in the summer for several years, but spent the winters with his wife in warmer areas of the U.S. They purchased a motor home, and logged many miles touring the Carolinas, Florida, Texas, and Arizona.

In 1991, Don and Patricia made the first of five trips to Europe. The first country they visited was Ireland, as part of an exchange group sponsored by the Friendship Force. It was a wonderful two weeks, with the highlight being a week spent in a home in Tubbercurry with the O’Gorman family. Another unforgettable trip was a two month long European trek that included touring and visiting friends in Ireland, Scotland, England and Germany. With his Irish and German heritage, Don especially enjoyed visiting Ireland and Germany’s Black Forest, and was able to stay at a little family-run hotel not far from where he believed his grandfather to have been born.

Sadly, the time came when Don had to retire completely due to increasing struggles with memory problems. In 2004, Don and Patricia purchased a Park Model home in Superstition Sunrise RV Resort of Apache Junction, Arizona, where they spent the winters. Until his memory problems became too serious, Don enjoyed playing Shofska with a group of friends at the resort. He also spent many happy hours in the dog park supervising his beloved canine companion, Buffy, and discussing WWII and other important topics with fellow dog owners. He always enjoyed routing for his Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers.

Strong, hardworking, and kind hearted, Don was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a courageous sailor, and a loyal friend. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his many friends and family members.

Mr. Donald G. Schwaab, who valiantly fought the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease for over eight years, was born to eternal life on January 29, 2013, at the age of 87. Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Patricia Hansen Schwaab, and their combined families consisting of nine children: Susan Schwaab, Mary Bennett, Laureen (Chuck) Kaprelian, Richard (Devon) Schwaab, Tom (Sondra) Schwaab, Don (Pauline) Schwaab, Bill (Susan) Schwaab, Bob Schwaab, and Steve (Kris) Schwaab; twenty grandchildren: Nick Schwaab, Benn (Anne) Schwaab, Ryan Schwaab, Chad Schwaab, Dawn Schwaab, Steven (Christina) Schwaab, Bryan (Markee) Schwaab, Hannah (Joseph) Johnson, Courtney (Travis) Brady, Allison Schwaab, Morgan Schwaab, Riley Schwaab, Danielle Schwaab, Brendan Schwaab, Katie Schwaab, Abbey Schwaab, Isabella Schwaab, Nina (Jeff) Blaisdell, Andrew Langenfeld Jr., and Thomas Duncanson; and seven great-grandchildren: Brentten and Logen Schwaab, Kaia and Nolan Schwaab, Cullen Schwaab, Hailey and Cayden Blaisdell. Don is also survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Marietta and Dick Garski, Janet Lundquist, Peg and Manuel Aceves, Larry and Eileen Hansen, Sue Carlson, Anita Hansen (David Kurtz) and David and Chris Hansen; many nieces and nephew; and long-time friends who became like family: Apolinari (Donna) Ngwira, Barbara (Bob) Block, and Cynthia Hopkins. Relatives and friends who remained in his heart and thoughts long after their passing included his parents; his twin siblings, Pat and Terry; his business partner, Jim Christensen; his brothers-in-law, Rollie Wottrich and Gene Carlson; and his good friend, Tom Helms.

Don was cremated, according to his wishes. A memorial service was held at the resort in Arizona on March 1, 2013. The service was conducted by his favorite priest from St. George Parish, and his favorite vocalist from church sang some of the hymns he loved most.

A Memorial Mass will be held on at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 13, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., Racine, WI, with Reverend Richard Molter officiating. The family will receive friends at the church starting from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Following the Mass there will be a celebration of life reception in the church hall. Internment with full military honors will take place at the Southern Wisconsin Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Dover, WI at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, the American Heart Association or a favorite charity. Please visit Don’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about his life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.