Elmer Schwieder (1925-2005)

SCHWIEDER, WAGY, HUBBARD, RISIUS, CARLSON

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 12/27/2005 at 17:59:21

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Tuesday, December 27, 2005.

Elmer W. Schwieder, of Ames, 80, died Sunday, Dec. 25, at Story County Long Term Care after a long illness. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28th, at Collegiate United Methodist Church in Ames. Cremation has already taken place.

Elmer was born Sept. 6, 1925, in Denver, Colo., to Elmer W. Schwieder Sr. and Hazel (Wagy) Schwieder. Following service as a naval aviator in World War II, he owned an automobile body and fender business in Denver, served as a Methodist student pastor in White Lake, S.D., and later worked as a social worker in nearby Mitchell, S.D.. He married Dorothy Hubbard in Presho, S.D., in 1955. His children, Diane and David, were born in Mitchell in 1958 and 1959.

In 1962, he moved his family to Ames to begin graduate school at Iowa State University. He completed a Ph.D. in aociology in 1966, and subsequently accepted a faculty position in the ISU Sociology Department. Following this, he took a position in the newly formed Department of Family Environment. He retired in 1990. His tenure at Iowa State was marked by a number of honors and achievements. He twice was recognized as Iowa State's professor of the year, first in the Colleges of Science and Humanities and later in the college of Home Economics. In 1981, he received an Outstanding Teacher Award, and in 1988 ISU's Alumni Association awarded him The Faculty Citation. He coauthored two books, "A Peculiar People: Iowa's Old Order Amish," and "Buxton: A Black Utopia in the Heartland."

He also possessed great skill as a woodworker, and at working with many kinds of tools and repairs. He created many items of fine furniture in his basement workshop. He also was known for his wonderful sense of humor, and his love of stories and jokes. Although handicapped by a stroke suffered in 1987, he maintained his sense of humor throughout his life.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Dorothy; one son, David of Selinsgrove, Pa.; one daughter, Diane Risius and her husband, Lyle, of Normal, Ill.; grandchildren Mary and Elizabeth Risius; and one sister and brother-in-law, Gertrude and Richard Carlson of Salt Lake City. He will be greatly missed.

Memorials may be made to Collegiate United Methodist Church or to Dakota Wesleyan University, McGovern Library & Center for Public Service, 1200 W. University Ave, Mitchell, SD, 57301.

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