Surnames: STERNWEIS KLEIN HOFF LONG CHEVREMONT JUSTMAN SCHNECK HAMPTON

----Sources: Tribune-Record-Gleaner (Loyal, Clark Co., WI) 04/06/2005

Sternweis, Donald J. (12 Mar 1930 - 30 Mar 2005)

Donald J. Sternweis, 75, of Marshfield, died on Wednesday, March 30, 2005, at Saint Joseph’s Palliative Care, Marshfield. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, April 4, , at 11:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Marshfield. The Rev. Don L. Meuret officiated. Burial was in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Marshfield. Pallbearers were Clinton Sternweis, Brian Sternweis, Adam Sternweis, Robert Drews, DuWayne Gropp and Ervin Schmidt. Honorary pallbearers were Kim Nikolai and David Paitel.

Donald Sternweis was born on March 12, 1930, in Marshfield, to George and Mary (nee Klein) Sternweis. He graduated from Marshfield Senior High School in 1947, and then from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm Short Course in 1948. He worked briefly for Hub City Foods, Marshfield, before joining his father in farming. He married Marguerite L. "Marge" Hoff on Sept. 28, 1950, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Marshfield. Together they farmed with his parents, taking over the operation in 1956. Two of their seven children joined the family farm business. Steve in 1972 and Russell in 1984. He and Marge retired in 1989, and moved to a new home they built just east of the original farmstead. He had been living at Lighthouse Eldercare in Marshfield since 2004. Over the years, he served as a member of the board of directors for the Spencer Cooperative, Federal Land Bank and Land O’ Lakes Cooperative. He had been a dealer for Badger Farm Equipment and Northup King Seeds. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus John Eisen Council #1799 and had served on the Our Lady of Peace Parish Council.

Survivors include seven children, Kathleen (Phil) Long, La Crosse, Steve (Dolores) Sternweis, Marshfield, Joan (Dave Schneck) Sternweis, West Allis, Laura (Lon Hampton) Sternweis, Ames, Iowa, Russell (Cindy) Sternweis, Marshfield, Nancy (Eric) Chevremont, Milwaukee, and Neil (Tracie) Sternweis, Waupaca; 13 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; three brothers, George (Lorraine) Sternweis, and Al )Arlene) Sternweis all of Marshfield, and Hubert (Mary Ann) Sternweis, Minoqua; three sisters, Sister Andrea Sternweis, OSF, Campbellsport, Lucille Schmidt, Oak Park, Ill., and Norma Justman, Sun City, Ariz; and a sister-in-law, Margaret Sternweis, Marshfield.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Marge who died on March 14, 2004; a brother, Joseph; and a great-granddaughter, Samantha Sternweis.

The Sternweis family would like to thank Lighthouse Eldercare for the excellent care Donald received during the last 15 months.

Memorials May be designated in his name to Lighthouse Eldercare or for Parkinson’s Research.

Rembs/Kundinger Funeral Home, Marshfield, assisted the family with arrangements.