North Mankato, MN - John Harold Schwertfeger was born on April 11th, 1942, the 1st child born to the Rev. Harold and Marvel (nee

Quill) Schwertfeger. He was baptized into the Kingdom of God on May 3rd at Woodlawn Lutheran Church in West

Allis, WI. He attended public elementary school in Prentice, WI; St. Mark Lutheran School in Richwood, WI and St.

John Ev. Lutheran School in Lake City, MN where he graduated on May 29th, 1956. He was instructed and

confirmed in the Christian faith by his father at St. John Lutheran Church in Frontenac, MN on May 27th, 1956. He

enrolled at Bethany Lutheran High School in Mankato, MN and graduated on June 3rd with the class of 1960. John

spent 1960-1962 at Bethany Lutheran Jr. College on the same campus; two summer sessions at DMLC in New

Ulm, MN after which he was called to serve as a one-year emergency teacher for grades 3-5 at Trinity Lutheran

School in Jenera, Ohio.

John accepted a call to serve in Hong Kong at the Christian Chinese Lutheran Mission School in 1963 where he

remained until 1967. He taught English to all Chinese students, was the mission treasurer and staff

photographer. He purchased a round-trip ticket from Hong Kong to marry Ruth Ann Boehm on August 15th , 1964

at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jenera, Ohio. Ruth's flight ticket was a one-way trip to Hong Kong where the

couple worked and lived until 1967. John and Ruth built their life together in Mankato, MN where John worked

at Lewis Eastgate and Artcraft camera shop while attending Mankato State University from which he graduated

on August 18th, 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.

The Lord blessed John and Ruth's union with three children, Michael, Scott, & Jill; nine grandchildren: Autumn,

Grace & Faith Schwertfeger; Heidi, Gretta, Collin & Gabe Schwertfeger; and Charlotte & Violet Hall.

John will be remembered for his strong work ethic, adventurous nature and productive creativity. He began

working on farms at the age of 12 (summers) and throughout his high school & college years he worked in the

kitchen and as canteen manager at Bethany. He also participated in high school basketball, baseball, choir and

drama. He began a 25-year teaching career at Mankato West High School teaching Global Studies, Photography

and Yearbook Advisor. He retired in 1997. He was well respected and loved by many colleagues and students of

Mankato West and Mankato East and was unapologetic for his teaching from a moral and Christian perspective.

It was during those years that he became the founder and owner of Custom Weddings, Inc; built a country home

& photography studio, attended Oklahoma Ferrier's College in Sperry, OK and then worked on corrective horse

shoeing for many years. He also founded Equine Photography, attending and photographing many horse shows

in southern Minnesota.

John served his Lord and Savior in a variety of meaningful and responsible ways. He served for many years at St.

Mark Lutheran Church as President, Elder, Sunday school teacher, usher, dartball player, church photographer

(esp.confirmations) and sang in the choir. He enjoyed serving the church at large as a member of the DMLC Board

of Control in New, Ulm, MN for several terms.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Marvel; one brother, Paul; three sisters, Elizabeth Gill, Paula

Schepmoes and Miriam Schwertfeger; many cousins, uncles, aunts, classmates and friends. He is survived by

wife, Ruth; children, Michael (Jennifer) Schwertfeger, Rev. Scott (Laura) Schwertfeger, and Jill (Jake) Hall, the

nine grandchildren listed above, and one brother, Mark, and sisters, Margaret, Deborah and Virginia and many

other relatives and friends.

On June 8th, the Lord Jesus called the soul of his servant, John to himself to glory everlasting. His earthly

pilgrimage lasted 83 years. The Christian funeral service is being held 11:00 am Monday June 30, 2025 at St. Mark Ev. Lutheran Church in Mankato, MN with the Rev. Bourman, presiding. A visitation will be held from 3:00 - 5:00 pm Sunday, June 29, 2025 at St. Mark Ev. Lutheran Church and will continue one hour prior to the services. A committal service will follow at Woodland Hills Cemetery. A lunch served by St. Mark Ladies Aid will be held in the fellowship hall after the committal service. Then I

heard a voice saying, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. " (Rev. 14:13).

Memorials may be given to St. Mark Lutheran Church or Risen Savior Lutheran School in lieu of flowers.