Rev. Martin Schwartz

Reverend Martin Luther Schwartz entered glory on May 5, 2017. Servant of Jesus Christ. Husband of one. Father of three and father-in-law of three more. Grandfather of eleven. Brother of five. Close friend of a few. Pastor and friend of many.

Marty was born on July 3, 1945 in Green Bay, WI to Rev. Marcus and LaVerna Schwartz, the third of six children. His surviving siblings are Susan Halverson, Margaret Hoeft, Paula, Armin and Steve. He was born again as God's child through water and Word in baptism on July 15 at St. Peter's Ev. Lutheran Church of Town Rockland, WI. He grew up in Kenosha WI, confirmed in the Christian faith at St. Luke's Lutheran Church on May 10, 1959.

He attended Northwestern Preparatory School and Northwestern College of Watertown, WI, intent on studying for the ministry and on scoring touchdowns. His contemporaries recall his speed, quickness and ease in breaking tackles at halfback and punter in both high school and college.

He met Helen St. Clair of Newton, MA while working at Glacier National Park in northwestern MT. They married in 1971 and raised three children, Tim (1973, married to Niki), Brian (1975 married to Heidi) and Gena (1978 married to Aaron Boehm). He was a humble, consistent example of a servant to his family to the end of his life as he and Helen cared for each other. They all spent time together at church, in their gardens, on the ball field, watching Packer games, and on trips to Maine, northern Minnesota, and Montana. His favorite time with friends was playing Friday floor hockey, basketball and golf. His greatest love in his grandparent years was his time spent with Helen seeing Jadon, Josiah, Priscilla, Isabel, Aiden, Micah, Neleh, Logan, Greyson, Garrett, and Selah.

The majority of people who knew him called him, "Pastor," as he served God's people as their preacher, teacher, and spiritual comforter. He was assigned to the position of Tutor at Northwestern College for his vicar year. Upon his graduation from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, his first congregations were the dual parish of St. Paul's Lutheran Church (Montrose, MN) and Trinity Lutheran Church (Buffalo, MN.) In 1976 the Schwartzes moved to St. Paul Park, where he faithfully served St. Andrew's Lutheran Church until his retirement in 2013. He served the larger church as vacancy pastor, circuit pastor, and Minnesota District Mission Board member.

The source of his love for those around him was Jesus Christ, who saved him and whom he served in life and ministry. "Jesus Christ died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him." (1 Thessalonians 5:10, NIV)

Viewing 4-7 PM, Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at Kok Funeral Home, 1201 Portland Ave., St. Paul Park, MN, 55071. Burial at 10 AM, Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at Cottage Grove Cemetery. Funeral Service will follow the burial 11 AM, May 10, 2017 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 202W. 8th St., Hastings, MN, 55033. Luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, St. Andrew's Lutheran Church (St. Paul Park, MN), and American Brain Tumor Association.