Obituary for Mark Schwertner
The catfish in Ute Lake are a little safer today, as Mark Raymond Schwertner, 69, of Farwell, Texas, passed away January 15, 2022, from unexpected medical complications. Surrounded by his family, he entered the ever-bountiful fields of heaven. There will be a visitation with Rosary on Friday, January 21, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bovina, Texas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 22, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Ann’s. Burial will follow at Sunset Terrace Memorial Cemetery in Farwell. All are welcome to attend.
Mark was born to Hubert and Rita (Schilling) Schwertner in Slaton, Texas, on July 30, 1952. He was raised on the family farm milking cows, raising pigs, swinging from the rafters of the barn, and driving tractor until the sun went down. He was made strong by a loving family, his Catholic faith, and home cooking. After graduating from St. Joseph's Catholic School and Slaton High School, Mark earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education from Texas Tech University. He met the late Nancy (Jurecek) Schwertner while attending Texas Tech, and they were married on February 15, 1975, in San Angelo, Texas. Mark and Nancy raised four children on their farm outside of Farwell, Texas, and Mark harvested 46 seasons. They instilled a deep faith in God, an appreciation of family, and a strong work ethic in their children.
Mark’s pleasures in life were simple: time with his family, a trip to the lake when rain on his fields allowed it, a plate of liver and onions, and an evening glass of scotch. He was a master of the long goodbye – the kind that started inside, made its way to the driveway, then to the car door, and a final wave in the rearview mirror. Mark loved his children and devoted many hours to teaching them how to do some of his favorite things--fishing, hunting, and water skiing. Mark's children are now passing his teachings on to his grandchildren, who adored and were adored by their Poppy Mark. He was an example of his faith, and his faith was strong.
Mark was generous with his time and served his community and church in various capacities, including various offices with Saint Ann's Parish Council and the Knights of Columbus, the Farwell ISD School Board, and the Parmer County Appraisal District. He was a steward of the land and was honored as Soil and Water Conservation Farmer of the Year and Farwell Chamber of Commerce Farmer of the Year. Even after his passing, Mark continued his service to others by giving the gift of sight to a person in need through organ donation.
Mark was predeceased by his first wife, Nancy, his parents, and his sister, Celeste.
Mark is survived by his wife, Mollie (Mitchell) Schwertner, who enjoyed traveling and spoiling the grandchildren right along with him. He is also survived by his children, Melissa and Shawn Sciumbato, Kris Schwertner, Matt and Kelli Schwertner, and Luke and Ashley Schwertner; his grandchildren, Gianna and Asher Sciumbato, Elizabeth, Rhett, and Miles Schwertner, and Lillian Schwertner; his step-mother, Helen Schwertner of Canyon, Texas; his three sisters, Laverne Jones and her husband, Alan of Slaton, Texas, Juanita Brake and her husband, Mike of Grape Creek, Texas and Clarice Fenton and her husband, Patrick of Lubbock, Texas; and his his brother, Jerome Schwertner and his wife, Joyce of Slaton, Texas. His big hugs, silly jokes, and constant love will be sorely missed by all.
If you would like to honor Mark’s memory, please consider a donation to the Farwell Education Foundation, PO Box F, Farwell, Texas, 79325, in lieu of flowers
Mark was born to Hubert and Rita (Schilling) Schwertner in Slaton, Texas, on July 30, 1952. He was raised on the family farm milking cows, raising pigs, swinging from the rafters of the barn, and driving tractor until the sun went down. He was made strong by a loving family, his Catholic faith, and home cooking. After graduating from St. Joseph's Catholic School and Slaton High School, Mark earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education from Texas Tech University. He met the late Nancy (Jurecek) Schwertner while attending Texas Tech, and they were married on February 15, 1975, in San Angelo, Texas. Mark and Nancy raised four children on their farm outside of Farwell, Texas, and Mark harvested 46 seasons. They instilled a deep faith in God, an appreciation of family, and a strong work ethic in their children.
Mark’s pleasures in life were simple: time with his family, a trip to the lake when rain on his fields allowed it, a plate of liver and onions, and an evening glass of scotch. He was a master of the long goodbye – the kind that started inside, made its way to the driveway, then to the car door, and a final wave in the rearview mirror. Mark loved his children and devoted many hours to teaching them how to do some of his favorite things--fishing, hunting, and water skiing. Mark's children are now passing his teachings on to his grandchildren, who adored and were adored by their Poppy Mark. He was an example of his faith, and his faith was strong.
Mark was generous with his time and served his community and church in various capacities, including various offices with Saint Ann's Parish Council and the Knights of Columbus, the Farwell ISD School Board, and the Parmer County Appraisal District. He was a steward of the land and was honored as Soil and Water Conservation Farmer of the Year and Farwell Chamber of Commerce Farmer of the Year. Even after his passing, Mark continued his service to others by giving the gift of sight to a person in need through organ donation.
Mark was predeceased by his first wife, Nancy, his parents, and his sister, Celeste.
Mark is survived by his wife, Mollie (Mitchell) Schwertner, who enjoyed traveling and spoiling the grandchildren right along with him. He is also survived by his children, Melissa and Shawn Sciumbato, Kris Schwertner, Matt and Kelli Schwertner, and Luke and Ashley Schwertner; his grandchildren, Gianna and Asher Sciumbato, Elizabeth, Rhett, and Miles Schwertner, and Lillian Schwertner; his step-mother, Helen Schwertner of Canyon, Texas; his three sisters, Laverne Jones and her husband, Alan of Slaton, Texas, Juanita Brake and her husband, Mike of Grape Creek, Texas and Clarice Fenton and her husband, Patrick of Lubbock, Texas; and his his brother, Jerome Schwertner and his wife, Joyce of Slaton, Texas. His big hugs, silly jokes, and constant love will be sorely missed by all.
If you would like to honor Mark’s memory, please consider a donation to the Farwell Education Foundation, PO Box F, Farwell, Texas, 79325, in lieu of flowers