February 22, 1943 – October 29, 2025
Donald Paul Schwartz was born February 22, 1943, at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, the son of Rudy E. and Muriel Donald Paul Schwartz, 82, of Mason City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, after complications of a stroke.
A Celebration of His Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, November 3, 2025, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St. NE, Mason City, IA 50401. The family will greet friends and relatives from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest at Westside Cemetery at a later date.
A. (McFadden) Schwartz. His father, Rudy, was a mechanic before entering the United States Army during WWII. The family followed him to Colorado, then North Carolina before he was sent to France. During that time, they moved to Marble Rock to live with Rudy’s mother, Lucy, until they were able to buy the family home where Don would grow up. After the war, Rudy opened an auto repair shop in town.
Don attended Marble Rock Schools until 11th grade when the district consolidated to become RRMR. His class was the first to graduate from the new school. He even helped build it, and years later, his youngest daughter would be the last to attend the original building before it burned down. Don often said he went to the best “college” around, learning from those who surrounded him—Grandpa Schwartz, a blacksmith; Grandpa McFadden, an electrical mechanic; and his dad, an automotive mechanic.
On September 17, 1965, Don married Marcia Kay Lindloff at the Marble Rock United Methodist Church. To this union two daughters were born: Lisa Marie, on February 11, 1966, and Sara Louise, on June 16, 1970.
Don worked in the automotive business, doing everything except sales. He liked to joke that he would have been let go for being too honest with customers—and it was probably true. He joined the National Guard in Charles City in 1964 and served active duty during the Guttenberg Flood, Charles City Tornado, and Waterloo Riots.
Faith and family were at the center of Don’s life. He loved God and made many sacrifices for those he loved, including staying in Marble Rock so his daughters could graduate with their classmates. He enjoyed camping, ice skating, gardening, fishing trips with his parents, family walks, and bike rides. He especially loved trips to “The River” and watching the leaves change in Wisconsin.
Don enjoyed country and gospel music and was a loyal NASCAR fan. He was a talented woodworker, could draw and sew—though he once famously stapled the hem of his pants. He was an excellent cook, and after sharing a bread recipe that could feed 200 men during his time as a National Guard cook, he decided to leave most of the cooking to others.
After reluctantly retiring in 2020, Don found a way to enjoy his time at home. His greatest joy was his 60 years with Marcia, his family, and his many friends. He knew so many people and touched countless lives over the years. Don will be fondly remembered for his straight-laced, witty humor, and for the calm, respect, and dignity he carried throughout his life.
Those grateful for having shared in his life include his beloved wife, Marcia; daughters, Sara (David) Myers and Lisa (Steve) Swartwood; grandchildren, Cody Perry, Leslie Perry, Kieth Piper, Brent (Amber) Piper, Hope Myers, Joy Myers, Brittany Myers, David Myers, Doug Myers, David (Lyndsay) Swartwood, Alyssa Wright, Joshua (Colleen) Heginger; 15 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. Though he was an only child growing up, Marcia’s family became his family too. Surviving are Marcia’s siblings, Richard (Donna) Lindloff, Shirley Welch and a sister-in-law, Thelma Lindloff; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a brother; his grandparents; former son-in-law, Marlin Perry; Marcia’s siblings, Kenneth Lindloff, Raymond (Linda) Lindloff, Edwin Lindloff, Evelyn (Gordon) Duryee and a brother-in-law, Larry Welch; as well as many extended family members and cherished friends.
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