Diane M. Schwarz — Spring Valley

Diane M. Schwarz, 62, of Spring Valley, died Tuesday morning, Feb. 4, 2014, at her home following a four-month battle with lung cancer.

Diane was born March 30, 1951, in Mankato, to Orlando and Ruth (Bartsch) Olson and graduated from St. Clair High School. On June 7, 1969, she married Jerome Schwarz in rural Waseca. The first year, they lived in Minneapolis so Jerome could finish at the U of M. Diane worked in the college business office and was a part-time student. After living in Preston for four years, they moved to rural Spring Valley in 1975. She worked alongside her husband in the family land surveying business and helped with farm work as well.

First English Lutheran Church in Spring Valley was an important part of her life.

Diane is survived by her husband, Jerome; their three children, Gregory (Diane) of Spring Valley, Brian (Hillary) of Shanghai, China, and Jennifer (Adam) Koontz of Fort Wayne, Ind. She was blessed with five grandchildren. She is also survived by her mother, Ruth Olson of St. Clair; two brothers and a sister, Lenny (Donna) Olson of St. Clair, Judy (Jim) Passer of Madison Lake and Terry (Terri) Olson of Eagle Lake; stepmother-in-law, Pat Schwarz of Spring Valley; brother-in-law, Michael (Debbie) Schwarz of Fountain; stepbrothers-in-law, Nels (Cindy) Oftedahl of Stewartville and David (Lynette) Oftedahl of Rochester; stepsister-in-law, Cheryl (Paul) Keehn of Zumbro Falls; many nieces and nephews; and by many caring and faithful relatives, friends and neighbors.

She was preceded in death by her father.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at First English Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Loel Wessel officiating. Burial will be in the Spring Valley Cemetery.

Friends may call at Thauwald Funeral Home in Spring Valley from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, and at the church on Saturday an hour before the service.

Mayo doctors and nurses and Mayo Hospice deserve a special thank you.