SCHWALBE, Mary (Kleckner) 1930-2021

SCHWALBE, KLECKNER, FOX, PAULSON, ROSENQUIST

Posted By: Karen Feldt Robertson (email)
Date: 3/25/2024 at 10:15:35

Mary (Kleckner) Schwalbe, age 91, died in her home, May 29, 2021, with family in attendance in Santa Rosa, California as was her wish.

Mary was born on a farm in St. Ansgar, Iowa on January 17, 1930. Her parents were Ernest and Florence (Fox) Kleckner. She had ten siblings: Adrian, Robert, Arnold, Maurice, Bernice, Helen, Raymond, Jim, Patricia and Bill. Survivors include her sister Bernice Paulson, Osage, Brother, Jim Kleckner, Mintern, CO. and Bill Kleckner, Stevens Point, WI. Mary attended St. Ansgar schools, graduating in 1947. Mary had four children with her husband, Richard Rosenquist; David, Michael, Lisa, and Karen. She had six grandchildren; Danielle, Katie, Christina, Jonathan, Emerson, and Liam and two great-grandchildren; Alexandra and James. Mary was proceeded in death by Michael Rosenquist, Richard Rosenquist, Jay Schwalbe and Christina Braun.

From 1955 to 1964, the Rosenquist family lived abroad in Germany and Japan. Upon returning to the USA, they settled in Northern California. Mary and Richard divorced in 1969. Mary later met and married Jay Schwalbe. Mary proved to be a formidable businesswoman, opening her own optical shop, and embarking on multiple ventures throughout her life. She had an engaging professional personality and great sense of style that people enjoyed when visiting her store.

Mary loved traveling all over the world and meeting people from other cultures. She was a marvelous cook, a fabulous skier, a gardener, a great mother, a hip grammy, and friend to many. We all loved her laugh which could be heard for miles.

In later years, Mary spent a lot of time at her Lake Tahoe vacation home. She bought this with her son, Michael, so they could snow ski and water ski. It became a place for the whole family to gather, resulting in many wonderful memories, laughs and adventures.

Mary is missed by all.

St. Ansgar Enterprise