Edward Walter Schwoch

Edward Walter Schwoch, 96, Barnum, died on Thursday, December 8, 2011.

He was born on August 31, 1915 to parents Charles and Matie Hass Schwoch on the farm located near Nemadji, MN. Edward attended Central School to the 9th grade, skipping the 1st grade because his sister tutored him at home. He took over the family farm at the age of 19 when his father died in 1935. He also helped his brother, Otto drilling wells and took over that business when Otto died in 1940. Edward had a farm sale in 1946 and then drilled wells full time. He built a new house and garage/warehouse for he and his mother near Barnum where they moved in the fall of 1950. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying fishing, hunting, and being a guide. He made many trips to Alaska, Mexico, Canada, Montana, and also hunted the local area. Edward sold the well rig in 1970 and enjoyed his retirement years hunting and fishing and spending time on his deer farm west of Barnum. One of the thrills of his fishing career was catching a 332 pound halibut in 1979, a record for that year in Homer, Alaska. His nieces and nephews will remember him for sharing the moose and salmon with them. The great nieces and nephews always looked forward to riding his snowmobiles. He lived in his home until 2005 when because of ill health, he moved to assisted living in Barnum.

Edward is preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Gust and Otto Schwoch; sisters: Pearl Schwoch and Ruth Nelson; and eight nieces and nephews.

He will be lovingly remembered by his nieces and nephews: Betty Schwoch Claus, Myrtle Nelson (Lyle) Adolph, Viola Nelson (Clarence) Lursen, Gordon (Lila) Schwoch, Jeanette Schwoch Wolters, and his coffee buddies and many friends.

A graveside service was held on Monday, December 12, 2011 at 11 AM in Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Barnum. Following the graveside services, there was a gathering for family and friends at the Barnum United Methodist Church.

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.