James Schwebach

Mundwiler Larson Funeral Home of Graceville announces the death of James Francis Schwebach, age 57, of Dumont. Jim passed away on March 15, 2012. Funeral services for Jim will be held on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 10:30 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chokio. Visitation will be on Monday, March 19, 2012 from 4-8:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chokio. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday. Father Joe Vandeberg and Father David Breu will be officiating. Burial will be at the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Chokio.

Jim was born on July 2, 1954 to parents Ambrose and Evelyn (Ahlers) Schwebach at their home in Toqua Township, MN. He was baptized in his Catholic faith at St. Barnabus Catholic Church in Barry, MN. He attended St. Mary's Academy in Graceville until the 8th grade. He was a part of the last class to attend that school. He then went to Graceville High School where he graduated with the class of 1972. After graduation, he attended the Canby Vocational School for two years were he met the love of his life, Renee Deslauriers. They were married on August 23, 1975 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Canby. To this union, they were blessed with three children: Anita, Jared and Jamie.

After their marriage, they settled in the Dumont area where Jim began farming. He started with dairy until 1993, and then hogs and grain: corn and beans; which he continued until his death.

Jim was everyone's best friend; he was always willing to drop whatever he was doing to help another. He was loyal and hardworking; Jim would never complain, he just simply did what had to be done. Jim loved bowling, he was part of a league on Wednesday and Friday nights and earlier in their marriage, he and Renee even bowled mixed doubles! Jim liked to hunt and had just recently taken up practicing at the shooting range. He was always up for a game of cards, whether it was spades or hearts, he enjoyed playing cards of all kinds.

Jim was an avid softball and baseball fan, he never missed a game that his children were involved in and continued to attend even after they were no longer in high school. Nothing was more important to Jim than those who were close to him. He loved his family. When his grandchildren came along, he took a step back to enjoy life and spend more time with them.

Jim was a lifetime member of the NRA, a member of the Township Board, and a Parish Council Member. He served as a Eucharistic Minister at Church and was the only man in the St. Mary's Church Choir. On March 14 of this year, Jim had his first professional hair cut at a salon, prior to that his mother cut it!

Jim is survived by his wife Renee of Dumont; his children: Anita (Jake) Marty of Chokio, Jared (Bridget) Schwebach of Ortonville, Jamie (Jeramee Van Eps) Schwebach of Dumont; grandchildren: Caryn, Brock, Andrew and Jade Marty and Carissa, Hailey, Hannah and Cadyn Vanderwal and one on the way in July; his mother Evelyn Schwebach of Dumont; siblings: Shirley (John) Tritz of Dumont, Paula (Edward) Baxter of Graceville, Joanne (Dale) Marihart of Dumont, Jeanne (Charles) Meidl of Barrett, and Thomas (Roxanne) Schwebach of Johnson; Father and Mother-in-Law Norbert and Phyllis Deslauriers; brothers and sisters-in-law: Myron (Lenae) Deslauriers, Theresa Bly, Craig (Kirsty) Deslauriers, Jayne (Cal) Jeremiason, Madonna Andrews, Robert (Julie) Deslauriers, Karen (Mike) Bekaert, Sarah Deslauriers, Norberta Bekaert, Donald (Tammy) Deslauriers, Ann (Larry) Botten and Catherine (Perry) Fink and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jim is preceded in death by his father, Ambrose Schwebach; nephews Nicholas Marihart and Steven Bly and Brother-in-law Tom Bly.

Mundwiler Larson Funeral Home of Graceville is in charge of arrangements for James Schwebach. To send condolences to the family, on-line, visit our website at www.larsonfuneral.com