Obituary for Archie Schwantes

Archie Aaron Schwantes, 75, of Marshfield, Wisconsin died peacefully in the presence of his wife and children on November 11, 2023. He was deeply loved. touched many lives, and will be sorely missed.

Archie was born the son of Arthur and Elsie Schwantes on February 22, 1948 in Marshfield, Wisconsin. He was raised on the family farm in the Town of Brighton, Marathon County, and attended school in Spencer, Wisconsin. After studying at the University of Wisconsin-Steven Point, he moved to Marshfield and began work at St. Joseph’s hospital. That is where he met the love of his life, and future wife of 54 years, Jean.

Archie and Jean were married on September 27, 1969 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Altdorf, Wisconsin. Soon thereafter, they welcomed their first child into the world, Rhonda. Their love of children ensured that two more daughters (Mary Jo and Alison), and three sons (Jonathan, Scott, and Ryan) would be born in the following 10 years. Being a father to his six children and then a grandfather to 17 more was one of Archie’s greatest joys in life.

After Archie graduated from nursing school in Wausau, Wisconsin, the young couple moved to Marshfield in 1972, and Archie began his 36 year career as a nurse at Norwood Health Center where he made many lifelong friends.

Archie had a passion for several hobbies and interests that he shared with his family and friends. They are too many to list, but included late 60s American muscle cars (he cherished his 1968 AMC AMX), woodworking (he could build most anything), cribbage, chess, and poker. Archie was an avid deer and turkey hunter and loved shooting pool, too. He spoke fondly of childhood fishing trips to Canada, and won Best of Show awards showing sheep at the county fair in his youth. Archie also enjoyed golf, and was a switch-hitting pitcher for his work softball team. But most importantly, Archie loved spending time with his wife, his children, and his extended family. That was his greatest passion of all.

Archie was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Elsie Schwantes, his sisters, Cylinda Bruss and Selvajean Schwantes, and granddaughter, Valerie Blum. He is survived by his wife, Jean Schwantes, their six children, Rhonda (David) Blum, Mary Jo (John) Schwantes, Jonathan (Frankie) Schwantes, Scott (Christine) Schwantes, Alison (Steven) Knox, and Ryan (Jennifer) Schwantes, and 16 grandchildren: Hollie (Adam) Carlson, Carissa Blum, Savannah Blum, Makaylee Blum, Joshua Blum, Conway Knox, Sklyer Pawlowicz, Josiah Blum, Axl Knox, Carlin Pawlowicz, Alexavier Schwantes, Jaron Blum, Kaynen Schwantes, Charlotte Blum, Carolina Schwantes, and Isaac Schwantes.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 am at St. John’s Catholic Church in Marshfield, Wisconsin on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Altdorf, Wisconsin.