Tom Schwieters

Tom L. Schwieters, age 67 of Melrose, died unexpectedly on Friday, August 12, 2016, at his home, after a ten year battle with Parkinson's disease.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 17, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Greenwald with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating and Rev. Mitchell Bechtold and Rev. Daniel Ohmann concelebrating. Private family inurnment will take place at a later date.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Thomas Leo Schwieters was born February 18, 1949 in Melrose, Minnesota to Herbert and Aurelia (Stalboerger) Schwieters. He joined the Army National Guard Reserves. On May 30, 1970 he married Barbara Schoenberg at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill. Tom was the owner and operator of South Town Builders in Melrose for over 40 years. He enjoyed Nascar and sporting events. Tom's passion was being outdoors - from chasing elk in Wyoming to turkey hunting in South Dakota. He loved it all. Tom loved spending time with his family, most of all his nine grandchildren.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, Knights of Columbus Council 1633, and the American Legion Post 101.

Survivors include his wife, Barb Schwieters of Melrose; children, Lynn (Jim) Thelen of Centerville, Peter (Tina) Schwieters of Cedar, Paul (Leah) Schwieters of Ramsey, and Patrick (Amy) Schwieters of White Bear Lake; grandchildren, Max and Charlie Thelen, Gabe and Nora Schwieters, Bobbi Jo, Torii, and Amelia Schwieters, and Will and Frank Schwieters; brothers and sisters, Dick (Shari) Schwieters of Brooklyn Center, Bob (Kathy) Schwieters of Glenwood, Dennis (Lorine) Schwieters of Prior Lake, Joel (Cindi) Schwieters of Stillwater, John (Lynnea) Schwieters of Dellwood, Leo (Robin) Schwieters of Rogers, Mary (Kevin) Athmann of Hopkins, Caroline (Dan) Wander of Dayton, and Gloria (Randy) Welle of Melrose; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Aurelia Schwieters; and brothers, Harvey and Phillip Schwieters.

Serving as urn bearers will be Bobbi Jo Schwieters and Max Thelen. Cross bearer will be Gabe Schwieters and scripture bearer will be Will Schwieters. Flag bearer will be Torii Schwieters. Gift bearers will be Charlie Thelen, and Nora, Amelia, and Frank Schwieters. Readers will be Mary Schwieters and Peg Winkelmann. Eucharistic Ministers will be Adam Meyer, Linda Van Beck, and Mary Spanier. The eulogy will read by Mike and Reed Hiltner.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to St. Mary's Catholic Church and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.