Obituary: Walter Claus "Gus" Schwartz

A celebration of Life for Walter Claus "Gus" Schwartz, 83, a Minden-Gardnerville resident for the past 15 years, will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Happy Homestead Cemetery, South Lake Tahoe.

Mr. Schwartz died June 20, 2000, at his home in Minden. He was born July 31, 1916, in Chester Township, Minn., to Jacob B. and Anna Klindworth Schwartz. He grew up during the Depression.

Before moving to this area, he lived at South Lake Tahoe.

He married Teddi Harkness Jan. 21, 1939. They later divorced.

He married Marion Y. Cook May 3, 1975 in Carson City.

Mr. Schwartz was a building contractor in Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe for many years. He was also a private lender/investor until his death. He was a member of the Building Contractors' Association at Lake Tahoe. He loved life and the outdoors and possessed a strong work ethic, persistence, a positive attitude and a sense of humor. He was a Lutheran.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He was preceded in death by his son Danny and brother Harold.

Among his survivors are his wife of 25 years Marion of Minden; son, Pete M. Cook of Provo, Utah; daughters Bunny J. Bassett of Fortuna, Calif., Deborah M. Klouzer of Big Bear Lake, Calif. and Pamela Y. Pullen of Mission Viejo, Calif.; brother, Norm of Rochester, Minn.; sister, Phyllis Schreiber of LaCrosse, Wis.; grandchildren Dawn, Kathy, Melanie, Danny, Chris, Shelby, Kory, Kurtis, Casey and Chynna and four great grandchildren.

Cremation will be at FitzHenry's Crematory.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Hospice of Northern Nevada, 3264 Goni Road, Suite 151, Carson City 89706.

FitzHenry's Carson Valley Funeral Home, Gardnerville, is in charge of arrangements.