Don William Schwartz

Don was a soft-spoken man, and his gentle nature drew friends easily. He was practical and detail-oriented but also liked to laugh. He will be remembered for for the twinkle in his blue eyes. He enjoyed craft beer, honky tonk music, the daily crossword puzzle, and visits with his grandchildren. He exercised patience, precision and curiosity in his everyday life. He lived with dignity and humility and extended respect to those around him. To his family he was dependable and generous, thoughtful and kind, loving and beloved.

Don was born at his family home in Zwingle, Iowa, on June 27, 1927, the first son of William Henry and Amy (Fenton) Schwartz. Don and his younger brother “Murph” lived the story of small town America during the Great Depression. Their family lived modestly and taught Don the value of hard work, frugality and self-sufficiency, and likely nurtured the goodwill he displayed throughout his life. As a young man he enjoyed baseball and graduated with a class of six in 1944.

Following graduation he worked at the tank arsenal in Bettendorf, Iowa. Don was drafted into the Army in 1945 and soon after basic training embarked on a Victory Ship to France. For the next three years he was stationed in Witzenhausen, Germany, with the U. S. Occupation Forces. It was here he met, courted and married his love, Elisabeth Kolodziej, on July 16, 1948. Don and Lissie returned to Iowa, made Davenport their home and welcomed their daughter Janet. They were longtime members of St. Mark Lutheran Church. Don worked as a Pyrometric Technician at Alcoa in Riverside for 35 years and enjoyed lifelong friendships with his former coworkers.

Don was a loyal Chicago Cubs fan and said he was happy to have lived long enough to see them finally win the World Series in 2016. He also enjoyed supporting the Iowa Hawkeyes (his daughter’s alma mater) and was a good sport to show up to his grandkids’ school activities and recitals with a smile on his face. He experienced the joy of getting to know a great-grandson when Rory was born in 2021.

Don and Lissie’s sunset years were sadly cut short by her passing in 1993. He was her faithful caregiver throughout a long illness and carried on her memory the rest of his life. He chose to remain in their home and lived independently into his final weeks just as he had wished. His family is grateful to have been by his side in his last days and for the warmth of care he received at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.

Those left to remember and miss him include his daughter Janet (J. Scott) Evans of Knoxville; grandchildren Taylor (Ashlee Duimstra) Evans of West Des Moines and Callen Evans Williams (Nathan) of San Francisco, CA; great grandson Rory Evans; his brother, Gerald (Mary) Schwartz of Dubuque; as well as nieces, nephews, and good friends.

A private gathering in celebration of his life is to be held at a later date. Remembrances may be shared with the family at www.rungemortuary.com, and donations may be made in his memory to Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.