Margaret “Peggy” Schwartz

Funeral services for Margaret “Peggy” Schwartz were held on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory, SD, with Deacon GW Ekroth officiating.

Music was provided by the St. Joseph Catholic Church Choir, accompanied by Katie Opp, pianist.

Jeanne Bride and Claudia Opbroek were in charge of registration, lectors were Abby Kuil and Alexa Williams, gift bearers were Collins Kassin and Kellen Kassin, and altar servers were Eli Ekroth and Gabe Ekroth.

Urn bearers were Katie Kassin, Kris Schwartz, Abigail Kuil, Mitch Schwartz, and Alexa Williams.

Interment was in the Colome Cemetery in Colome, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Margaret “Peggy” Ann (Vavra) Schwartz was the first child, born on March 4, 1935, of Frank and Dorothy (Cahoy) Vavra. Peggy was born on her uncle Emil and aunt Myrtle Cahoy’s farm and was baptized in Clearfield’s Catholic Church. She attended first grade in Clearfield, second grade in Millboro, and third through eighth grade at the Viaduct School. Peggy graduated at the top of her class in 1953 from Colome High School.

She milked cows and did daily chores on the farm. After high school, Peggy joined the Catholic Daughters of St. Isidore Catholic Church; she was a member for 70 years. St. Isidore is also where she was united in marriage to Jim Schwartz on September 29, 1956. The couple had two children, Kevin and Lynne. Not only did she work tirelessly as a wife and mother, but she also had jobs at First Fidelity Bank in Colome, and Wagner’s Market in Colome and continued to help on the farm.

Peggy was a good cook and baker. She enjoyed gardening, reading, and attending every sporting event of her children. When Peggy became a grandmother, she loved babysitting and attending all of their activities as well. She especially enjoyed watching baseball and track and field. Peggy received a challenging diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes at age 24 and had a goal to live to her children’s high school graduations, but she defied all odds and saw nine great-grandchildren join the family.

Peggy was truly the epitome of a farm wife and mother. She had a very giving heart, a friendly smile, and hardworking hands that never stopped until the work was done. Peggy always made time for others, and her frequent visits, phone calls, and handwritten letters are special memories. Her Catholic faith and family were so dear to her.

Peggy passed away on July 5, 2023, at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center at the age of 88 years.

Peggy is survived by her husband Jim of Gregory; son Kevin of Colome, SD; daughter Lynne (Joe) Duling of Gregory, SD; granddaughter Katie (Chris) Kassin of Vermillion, SD; grandson Kris Schwartz of Oak Island, NC; grandson Mitch Schwartz of Colome, SD; granddaughter Abigail (Skyler) Kuil of Winner, SD; and granddaughter Alexa (Shea) Williams of St. Louis, MO; great-grandchildren Collins and Kellen Kassin, Rose and Summer Kuil, and Kemp, Dell, Brit, Goldie, and Dar Williams; sister Jeanne (Joe) Bride; brother Bob (Merrilee) Vavra; sister Claudia (Ed) Opbroek; sister-in-law Patricia Erickson; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Ken.