Weldon Charles Schwarten

Weldon C. Schwarten, 86, of Wakefield, Nebraska passed away on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at the Wakefield Health Care Center in Wakefield. A celebration of Weldon’s life will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Wakefield; Pastor Darwin Garton will be officiating. A prayer service will be held at Salem Lutheran Church Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Burial with military honors from the Wakefield American Legion Post #81 will be in the Wakefield Cemetery following the service. Bressler – Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home of Wakefield is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Wakefield Community Foundation and Salem Lutheran Church. Weldon was born on October 4, 1927 in Wakefield, Nebraska, the son of Charles and Anna (Gradert) Schwarten. He was a lifelong member of Salem Lutheran Church where he was baptized and confirmed. Weldon graduated from Wakefield High School in 1945 and went on to serve in the United States Army from 1950 until 1952. On October 1, 1961, he was united in marriage to Betty Stolle at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church near Concord, Nebraska. To this union four children were born: Teri, Thomas, Timothy and Tricia. Weldon worked in the Wakefield bank for several years until being elected as Dixon County Treasurer. He served two terms as treasurer until his retirement. Along with being a member of Salem Lutheran Church, Weldon was also a member of the Wakefield American Legion Post #81, and the Wakefield Community Club. His hobbies included playing cards, golf, playing pool at the senior center and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, and the family vacations they took. Weldon is survived by his wife Betty of Wakefield, sons: Thomas (Kimberly) Schwarten of Lincoln, NE and Timothy (Beth) Schwarten of Vancouver, WA, daughters: Teri (Roger) Sahs of Stillwater, OK and Tricia (Joe) Rehrs of Syracuse, NE, ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother Merle (Mae) Schwarten of Wakefield, NE, nieces, nephews and many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister-in-law Lois Schwarten, nephew Bradley Schwarten and a great niece Megan Schwarten.