October 19, 1931 – August 23, 2025
Virgil Eugene Schwake, 93, of Sumner and formerly of Tripoli, died Saturday evening, August 23, 2025, at Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church-Spring Fountain (1490 Tahoe Ave.), rural Sumner with Rev. Tanner Post officiating. Burial will follow at Lutheran Cemetery of Sumner Township, rural Sumner. Visitation will precede services at the Church on Wednesday starting at 10:00 AM. Memorials may be made in Virgil’s name to St. John Lutheran Church-Spring Fountain.
Virgil Eugene, son of Richard and Leta (Tietje) Schwake, was born October 19, 1931, in rural Sumner. He was baptized and later confirmed on March 25, 1945, at St. John Lutheran Church-Spring Fountain rural Sumner. Virgil received his early education in a country school, rural Sumner and later Sumner High School. He was united in marriage to Margaret Ganske on January 21, 1951. To this union four children were born, Judy, Jane, James and Karen. Virgil and Margaret farmed in the rural Sumner area for many years. Virgil was very active in the community as a Farm Bureau Board member in Tripoli, Nursing Home Board member, Cemetery Association/Sumner Township, Fremont Township Trustee in Tripoli, Rural Fire Department, Sumner Rotary Club and numerous church offices at St John Lutheran Church-Spring Fountain. Virgil and Margaret enjoyed traveling having visited all fifty states and seven foreign countries.
Virgil is survived by his wife Margaret of Sumner, children Judy (James) Shimon of Pocahontas, Jane (Doug) Koele of West Des Moines and James (Karla) Schwake of Sumner; son-in-law Brent Buls; seven grandchildren, Lindsey Koele-Schmidt, Jenny Fuehrer, Sarah Chambers, Melissa Taylor, Tessa Willie, Kaylee Marzoni, and Isaiah Schwake; seven great grandchildren Silas Taylor, Raylen Willie, Harlan Willie, Cecilia Schmidt, Owen Schmidt, Juniper Marzoni, and Mae Chambers and sister, Marjorie Pleggenkuhle of Carefree, Arizona.
Virgil was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Buls; parents Richard and Leta Schwake, brother Paul Schwake; sisters-in law Verla Schwake and Betty Schwake; and brother-in-law Joe Pleggenkuhle.
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