Walter “Walt” Schwartz, 81, of Westgate, passed away on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at Oelwein Healthcare Center. Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Geilenfeld Funeral home in Oelwein and one hour before services at the church on Wednesday. Services will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Westgate with Rev. Bert Mueller officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers a family memorial has been established.

Walt was born on November 4, 1936 on the family farm in rural Oelwein, the son of Albert and Ann (Bucholtz) Schwartz. He graduated from Maynard High School in 1954. On June 29, 1961 he was united in marriage to Kathryn Keniston in Prairie De Chien, Wisconsin. Walt was a farmer, (he started farming at age sixteen), then began raising and selling cattle, working for Luchtenburg Livestock and Bill Aubrey before going on his own. He also was a livestock judge at fairs and rodeos for many years. He enjoyed horse shows, roping calves, racing quarter horses, teaching his family how to farm and ride horses, visiting a casino once in awhile but most of all just being with his family. He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Westgate, Iowa Horse Racing Association, member of NEISCA  (Northeast Iowa Saddle Cub Association) and Oelwein Saddle Club. Walter touched many lives and will be dearly missed by his friends and family.

He is survived by his wife, Kay of Westgate, a son, Jeffery (Kim) Schwartz of Gilbert, Iowa, two grandchildren, Jessica (Matt) Schulte and Nick Schwartz, two sisters, Eleanor Corcoran of Hazleton and Beverly (Les) Gaul of Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Ann, three sisters, Dolores Edwards, Charlene Carlson and Alberta Schwartz.