Phyllis Jean Schwartz
Phyllis Schwartz
HARTINGTON — Phyllis Jean Schwartz, 85, Hartington, died Feb. 18, 2024, at her residence.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Feb. 24, at 10:30 a.m., at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, with the Rev. Owen Korte officiating. Burial will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Hartington. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Matthew Schwartz, Marc Schwartz, Luke Schwartz, Everett Hoesing, Cole Frerichs and Alex Frerichs. Visitation will be Friday, at church, from 5-7:00 p.m. with a Vigil service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Saturday, one hour prior to services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington. Phyllis Jean Schwartz (Driver), 85, was born Feb. 12, 1939, to Art and Ellen (McFarland) Driver in Wynot. She had five siblings and grew up on a farm outside the St. James area. She graduated from Wynot High School in 1956. Phyllis attended Wayne State Teachers College and received her teaching certificate. From 1957-1961 she taught in surrounding country schools near Hartington, teaching all grades. In 1960, she married Roger Joseph Schwartz and established their home on a farm a few miles from Pleasant Valley. This marriage was blessed with six children, Kim, Kelly, Ron, Judy, Larry and Troy.
Phyllis was a stay-at-home mother in the early years, she had her first four children in 33 months, which kept her very busy, and then was blessed with two more.
Phyllis cooked, baked and canned continuously for her family. She kept an immaculate house. In 1970, the family moved into Hartington, where Phyllis lived the rest of her life. Phyllis worked for Terra Western in a clerical role and then in the Hartington City offices until she retired in 2003.
Phyllis and her family belonged to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church her whole married life. She assisted in cleaning the church and counted the collection money up until this past year. She also had an hour of adoration for many years and belonged to the Catholic Daughters of America. Phyllis also volunteered in Holy Trinity Grade School/ Cedar Catholic High School library and cafeteria. She volunteered to teach catechism and belonged to the Women’s Guild holding all offices at one point during her membership, and also volunteered to help with Meals on Wheels.
Phyllis married into a family of dedicated card players and became quite good at it herself, playing up until her last few days. She didn’t hesitate to take her family’s money for her winnings. She was the “Queen” of scrabble losing very seldom. She faithfully completed the Omaha World Herald Crossword puzzle every day, which family contributes to her success in Scrabble. She enjoyed playing games on her IPad with her granddaughter, Nora, who challenged her constantly. Phyllis was introduced to the game of golf in her late 40s and found a passion she never knew she had. She turned into a golf fanatic and enjoyed so many hours on the course with family and friends. She developed some very special friendships with her golf group. She played with a Bridge group just up until a few weeks ago.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, Roger; her six children, Kim (Kent) Hoesing, Hickman; Kelly (Greg) Sosso, Papillion; Ron (Lisa) Schwartz, Tyler, Texas; Judy (Wayne) Frerichs, Lodgepole; Larry (Jenny) Schwartz, Bellevue; and Troy Schwartz, Lake Ozark, Mo.; 13 grandchildren; 13 greatgrandchildren; a sister-in-law, Jeanette Schwartz, Joliet, Ill.; numerous nephews and nieces; her siblings, Shirley Gowery, Wynot; Larry (Joanne) Driver, Wynot; Darrell (Ann) Driver , Yankton, S.D.; Wanda Branson, Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Dennis (Jan)Driver, Altoona, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Art and Ellen Driver; one great-grandson, Caden; and many brothers and sisters-in-law, and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be directed to the Holy Trinity Elementary School, P.O. Box 278 Hartington, NE 68739