Karl Dale Schwertfeger, age 70, of Oshkosh, died peacefully at home with his loved ones at his side on Monday, July 2, 2012. On July 23, 1941, F. Dale and Marcela (Voight) Schwertfeger welcomed Karl into their Oshkosh family home. He attended UW-Oshkosh and was the 3rd generation to run Farmers Supply Company in Oshkosh. Later, Karl was joined in the business by his son, Mark, who became the 4th generation plumber. On January 1, 2012, Karl retired from the family business due to cancer.
A member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Oshkosh, Karl enjoyed golf, playing cards, eating out, and was a huge John Wayne and Lionel Train enthusiast.
On August 18, 1962, Karl married Sylvia Miller and they had three children, Kristin (Jeff) Cassidy, Mark Schwertfeger, and Dale (Beckey) Schwertfeger. On October 31, 1980, he married Penny Hoffman and three children joined their family, Christine (Jeff) Korth, Catherine (Christopher Layland) Hoffman, and Jeffrey (Angela) Hoffman. Karl was the proud grandpa to grandsons, Justin (Kate Frank) Korth, Eric (Kassie Schoonover) Korth, Ryan (Elizabeth Jones) Cassidy, Alex Hoffman, and Westin Hoffman; granddaughters, Ariann (Josh Smith) Schwertfeger, Gabrielle Schwertfeger, Stephanie (Jordan Lindquist) Schwertfeger, Megan Cassidy, and Alyssa Schwertfeger; and two great-grandchildren, Tanner and Maddalyn. Karl is further survived by a sister, Julie (Dave) Sherwood; nephews, David (Nina) Sherwood and their sons, Kia and Noah; and Steve (Julie) Sherwood and their daughters, Annie and Elena; and cousins, MaryEllen and Jerry Schuhardt, who meant the world to him and brought Karl and Penny so many wonderful meals during the past year; also best friends, Mike and Jane Gordon, Don (Jean) Staerkel, the Perkins breakfast group, and all his friends at the Krow Bar Club.
A special thank you to our great neighbors who were always lending a hand; our friends Lee and Judy Engellman at Kodiak Jack's and their staff, who were always good to Karl. We'd also like to thank the Aurora Hospice Nurses, Joan, Amy, Vicki, Shelly, and Bev, Dr. Zernzach and his staff, and Dr. Dar and his staff at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center at Aurora Medical Center.
A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 7, 2012, at 12 Noon in Calvary Lutheran Church, 2580 W. 9th Ave., Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with Reverend Timothy Routh officiating. A time of visiting and sharing of memories will be held on Saturday from 9:00 to 12 Noon at the church. Private family inurnment will be held. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established in Karl's name.