Emery James Schwingler, of Shakopee, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2016, at the age of 85. A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2016 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM and before Mass on Friday, April 29, 2016 from 9:30 – 10:45 AM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 833 South Marschall Road in Shakopee. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 29, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne (St. Mark’s Church) in Shakopee. Emery’s grandchildren will act as urn bearers, and Emery will be laid to rest with his beloved LaVerna at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
On June 4, 1930 Joseph and Agnes (Beckman) Schwingler celebrated the birth of their son, Emery. He would become the middle child of 13. Emery loved growing up on the family farm where developed a strong work ethic that followed him throughout his life. At about age 15 with his older brothers away at war and his father ill, Emery had to leave school to run the farm. He returned to school when the situation stabilized. Emery left school again as a senior to join the Army as the Korean Conflict was escalating. He was awarded a GED from Jordan High School. He was a dedicated soldier and received high security clearance as a radio operator. Emery was honorably discharged in 1952. But he always remained proud of the fact that of the 13 kids, nine served in the military at some point. He was a longtime member of the VFW and American Legion.
When he returned to civilian life, Emery attended Brown Institute where he studied radio broadcasting. He received his Radio Broadcast Operator License, but never pursued a career in broadcasting. Instead Emery began working for Continental Machines in Savage. He was a dedicated employee for 42 years. Emery met the love of his life, LaVerna Kopitzke, in 1952 and they exchanged wedding vows on November 21, 1953. They settled in Shakopee and were blessed with two wonderful children, Dawn and Jim.
No matter how busy Emery was, he always made time for the most important things in his life, faith, family, farming and friends. Because LaVerna was Lutheran, Emery took on primary responsibility for Dawn and Jim’s Catholic upbringing. And take it on, he did. Emery practiced and lived his faith as an example to Dawn and Jim and was active at St. Mark’s. He was a Lifetime Member of the Shakopee Knights of Columbus Council #1685.
One of Emery’s famous sayings was, “Idle time is wasted time, and wasted time is trouble.” Never one to sit still for very long, Emery always kept busy. He was a very talented woodworker, an interest he picked up from his father-in-law, Otto. Eighty-five homes contain a Grandfather Clock he built, 25 of which were prizes at St. Mark’s for their annual Julifest . His talents also touched the homes of numerous family members and friends. Emery lived but the motto “measure twice, cut once” but there may have been a slip-up here and there! No matter what project he was working on, you could be sure he’d have trouble marking his measurements. That’s because Emery was constantly looking for his carpenter’s pencil.
And as they say, you can take the boy out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the boy. Emery was living proof of that. LaVerna, Dawn and Jim knew that Saturdays meant Emery and Jim would be going to “the farm”, usually Gene’s but sometimes Art’s. And it better not rain Saturdays, as there was visible disappointment. LaVerna was certain that sometimes Emery was more concerned about the farm than the owners were!
Emery loved being a husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa. He was always there to lend a helping hand when someone needed it, but he’d never ask for anything in return. He was a quiet leader and set a wonderful example for his family.
He will be deeply missed and remembered always by his children, Dawn (Mark) McQuillan, Jim (Chris) Schwingler; grandchildren, Ansley (Jeff) Peters, Jes (Maria) Schwingler, Luke (Staci) Schwingler; great-granddaughters, Elin Lea, Senja Mae, Elsa Emery and Sophia Marie; sister, Alice Budewitz; brother, Victor Schwingler; numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and friends.
