Obituary: Else Karolina Schwarz

Else Karolina Schwarz, age 88, of Sturgeon Bay, died Thursday, Sept 29th, 2016. She was born Else Schläger June 19, 1928, in Wunsiedel, Germany to Johann-Christian and Johanna Schläger.

She was a hardworking, strong-minded, kind-hearted woman. She had a hard childhood, losing her mom at the age of twelve and dad at the age of fourteen. At that point, she started raising three young siblings during the Nazi era. She loved her family and kept in touch with them. In the early 1960s Else met an American Air Force Master Sergeant, Wayne J. Schwarz Sr. who she married on September 25, 1964 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  Else and Wayne were inseparable and dedicated their lives to each other. Wayne Sr. passed away August 2005, and Else missed him dearly ever since.

Else will always be remembered for her golden heart. She loved having company and sharing her life stories with anyone who took the time to listen. She also loved animals and plants. Her annual geranium gardens were beautiful, and the dogs and cats had to have the best of everything. She also enjoyed making a German specialty, “the ever popular” fruit cake and gifted it to family and friends as something special from her heart. Else was also a fantastic bowler with many trophies to prove her talent.

Else is survived by numerous dear ones in Germany and throughout the United States. In Sheboygan some extra special people are Dick and Ann Calvert and grandchildren, Tassie, Guy and Cris Calvert. Her Sturgeon Bay family includes: Mary, Dan, Sherrie, Hunter, David and Pa Schwarz and her beloved cat Coco. She is also survived by stepson Jeffery J. (Linda) Schwarz of Cameron, Idaho and a stepdaughter, Mary Cay Taylor of San Antonio, Texas.

A small burial ceremony will be held at Wildwood Cemetery on Thursday, October 6th, 2016, at 3 pm. At this time Else and her beloved husband, Wayne Sr., will be laid to rest together. Contributions can be made to the charity of your choice in her name.  Forbes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.