Bernard Schwebach

Bernard "Bernie" Schwebach, 67 of Byron, Minnesota, formerly of Dakota City, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Mary's Campus. A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM at River Valley Orchards & Winery, located west of Humboldt on Highway 3. All are invited to wear something green or Green Bay Packers, and to join the family for some light refreshments and to share stories about Bernie. Services have been entrusted to Lentz Funeral Home of Humboldt.
Bernard Arthur Schwebach was born on October 11, 1956, in Orange City, IA to Lawrence and Pearl (Christenson) Schwebach. Bernie graduated from Sheldon High School in 1976 and Northwest Technical College in 1978. On December 4, 1976, he married his high school sweetheart, Pamela Peterson. The couple was blessed with three boys: Jonathon, Christopher, and Dustin.
Bernie was employed as a draftsman at Chantland-MHS Company at the Dakota City location for exactly 45 years to the day, retiring on August 25, 2023. Over the years Bernie was an active member of the Humboldt community where he volunteered to coach the athletic teams for his kids and umpired many girls' softball games in the area and around the state of Iowa. Bernie believed that umpiring allowed him to be more involved with the game and loved making the quick, on-the-spot decisions. He worked and volunteered for the Humboldt Recreation Department, including at the Humboldt Recreation Center since it opened in 2018, and worked as an umpire and official for area youth and adult leagues, including basketball, soccer, flag football, and volleyball, participating in many himself. Bernie was legendary in summer church and city league softball for his scrappy and high IQ play making abilities.
Bernie was a loving husband, father, brother, and friend to many. He would do anything for his family and friends, including helping family or friends move, or build a deck for your home. He enjoyed watching movies and virtually any sport on TV, and never missed his Green Bay Packers. He especially loved watching his grandkids in their sporting events and teaching them how to fish. After his retirement, he sold his Dakota City home of 45 years to move in with his son Christopher and his family in Byron to enjoy this next phase of life, and to travel and see his kids and grandkids.
Bernie was proceeded in death by his wife Pamela, father Lawrence Schwebach, sisters Darlene & Phyllis (Arms), brother Anthony Schwebach and brother-in-law Jim Arms.
He is survived by his three sons: Jonathon (Missy) Schwebach of Ankeny, IA; Christopher (Kayla) Schwebach of Byron, MN; and Dustin (Lorraine) Schwebach of Arlington, TX. He is also survived by his five grandkids, Owen, Hailey, Dean, Kohlton, and Quinn. He is survived by his mother his sisters Shirley (Donald) Sutherland of Boscobel, WI, Patricia DeRaad of Newton, IA, Barbara (Mark) Sickles of Sheldon, IA, and Irene Kolve unknown; brothers Charlie (Pam) Schwebach of Matlock, IA, and LeRoy (Sherri) Schwebach of Hull, IA; sister-in-law Mary (Doug) Jacobsma of Doon, IA and many nieces and nephews.
In honor of Bernie, memorials may be directed to the Humboldt Recreation Center, 1501 Wildcat Road, Humboldt, Iowa 50548.