SUMNER — Coral Frederick Schwarzenstein, 96, of Sumner, a Korean War veteran, longtime farm-equipment businessman and talented woodworker, passed away Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 13, 2026, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner, with the Rev. Tracy Hinkel officiating.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 12, at Becker & Son Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour before Thursday’s service at the church.
Coral will be laid to rest with military honors at St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Sumner.
He was born August 12, 1929, on the family farm near Boyd in rural Chickasaw County, the son of Frederick and Luella Biermann Schwarzenstein.
Coral was baptized in Fredericksburg and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, now Trinity Lutheran Church, in New Hampton. He began his education at Rural No. 1 Country School near Fredericksburg and graduated from Alpha High School in 1948.
He served his country in the United States Marine Corps from December 5, 1951, until receiving his honorable discharge on December 1, 1953.
After completing basic training in San Diego, Coral served in Korea from 1952 until the conclusion of his military service.
On April 12, 1952, Coral married Auderly Creager at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in Santa Ana, California.
Following his discharge, Coral farmed near Waucoma for several years. He moved to Sumner on March 1, 1958, and entered a business partnership with his father-in-law, Emory Creager, at Sumner Case Implement.
Coral became the sole owner of Sumner Case in 1974 and constructed a new building for the business in 1976. He retired in 1985.
His knowledge of agricultural equipment led him to serve as an Iowa representative on the J.I. Case North American Dealer Council.
Coral remained active in his community as a longtime member of Thomas E. Woods American Legion Post No. 223 in Sumner and the Jaycees. He was also a faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council.
Coral and Auderly enjoyed spending time near the river for more than 20 years. Their travels took them through 47 states and to Mexico, the Bahamas, Canada and Martinique.
A skilled woodworker who seemed capable of repairing nearly anything, Coral crafted treasured keepsakes for his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his daughters, Patricia “Pat” and John Lenhart of Cartersville, Georgia, and Cynthia “Cindy” and Jeff Schoonover of Fredericksburg; sons Wesley “Wes” Schwarzenstein of Marion and Kevin and Connie Schwarzenstein of Dubuque; and daughter-in-law Gale of St. Charles, Missouri.
Coral is also survived by eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, several step-great-grandchildren, extended relatives, nieces and nephews, and his special friend Ellen Ehlert.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Auderly; son Gary Schwarzenstein; grandson Shane Schoonover; step-great-grandson Ryan Taylor; daughter-in-law Hilaria Schwarzenstein; his parents and parents-in-law; brother Daryl and his wife, Jean; and brothers-in-law Ben Creager and Marvin Kohlmeyer.
Becker & Son Funeral Home of Sumner is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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