Donald E. Schwendemann
Died Nov. 24, 2018
SUTTONS BAY –
Donald E. Schwendemann died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 at home.
He was born in
Otho, Iowa on May 21, 1919 on his great grandfather Lundgren’s farm. Don was the son of Francis and Mildred
(Lundgren) Schwendemann.
After attending
Iowa State University and graduating with a degree in agriculture engineering,
Don enlisted in the US Naval Reserve on December 6, 1941 and graduated from
officer Boot camp at Notre Dame. The
USNR sent him to midshipmen’s School aboard the USS Prairie docked in New York
City and afterwards to Diesel Engineering Training at Penn State.
Donald served
as an instructor in Diesel engines at Experimental Diesel Engine School,
Richmond VA, University of California and GM Institute of Technology in Flint,
Michigan. From there he advanced to mine
sweep training in Honolulu, Hawaii.
His naval
career extended until after V-J Day 1945 sweeping mines out in Tushima Straits,
Korea as a staff member of the Naval Task Force - Japan Inland Seas aboard the
USS Inaugural & the USS Cowie. His
military service was one of the high points of his early youth and life.
The day after
Don “retired” from the Navy (July 17, 1946), he secured a position in Detroit
Michigan with General Motors/Detroit Diesel Division where he travelled
extensively as a Diesel engine representative.
He was married
to Barbara November 13, 1948 after being introduced by a fellow GM colleague
(Barbara’s brother Robert Brueck). The
family lived in Northville, Michigan until 1969 when Donald departed GM Diesel and bought into Reef Baker
Corporation as an owner; eventually serving as CEO & President of the
company in Marine City, MI. Donald and
Barbara finally retired to homes in Rochester, Michigan and later to Suttons
Bay, Michigan.
Favorite
activities of Donald’s were: the Detroit Economic Club (lifetime member),
United States Circumnavigators Club, Michigan Opera, Suttons Bay Rotary and
International Foreign Affairs in Traverse City.
His main mantra was to restore USA business & manufacturing. Everyone who knew him was aware of his avid
interest in economics and conservative politics. He enjoyed many conversations and companionship
on these topics at his VI Grill coffee club gatherings.
Donald is
survived by his brother, Leroy Schwendemann (Lehigh, IA) and his daughter
Sandra K Schwendemann (Suttons Bay), and grandson Scott Francis Schwendemann
and wife Brittany and their two children Makayla & Jacob (New Zealand).
He was
predeceased by his two sisters, Kathleen Horn (Sarasota, FL) and Marianne
Fuhrmeister (Birmingham AL), his wife Barbara Brueck Schwendemann, his daughter
Sheryl L Schwendemann (New Zealand) and the Brueck family (niece Barbara
Shubel, and nephews George & Jim Brueck plus their respective families.
Funeral
Services are scheduled at the Suttons Bay Congregational Church on Tuesday, December
4, 2018 with visitation at 10:00 followed by a service at 11:00 and lunch at
noon.
Memorials may
be directed to Suttons Bay Congregational Church, PO Box 70, Suttons Bay, MI
49682; or Suttons Bay- Bingham Fire & Rescue, PO Box 280, Suttons Bay, MI
49682 and/or a charity of your choice.
Please share condolences and memories with Don’s
family below or at our funeral home Facebook page:
Sorry to hear about Don's passing. We met Don at the VI Grill back in 2009 and truly enjoyed conversations with him at the Grill. Having just returned from winter in FL, we heard of his passing. My husband and I were blessed to have met this man and will miss seeing him at the VI Grill. Blessings to his family. Jeanette Dunigan
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