31 Dec John “Jack” Schwartz

John “Jack” Schwartz, 82, Bismarck, passed away December 30, 2020 at CHI St. Alexius Hospital. While gathering is changed by Covid, know that the family feels your support. To view the Rosary/Mass of Christian Burial go to https://venue.streamspot.com/event/MjQ3NDc2Mw== at 11 A.M. on Friday, January 8, 2020.  Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will be planned when it is safe to gather.

Jack was born on February 8, 1938 to Carl and Helen Schwartz in his grandmother’s house in Belfield, ND. He went to St. Joseph grade school in Dickinson and Dickinson Central High School. He attended Dickinson State College for one year. Jack married Joanne Maupin on March 26, 1956 and they moved to Minneapolis in the summer of 1957. In Minneapolis he first worked at Western Electric and Northwest Airlines. At this time, he continued his education at Northwestern Electronic Institute and Dunwoody Industrial Institute studying to become an electronic technician. He then went to work at Control Data Corporation as a field service technician on their computers. They transferred Jack and family to Sunnyvale, CA to a computer center at Moffit Airfield. Jack and family moved back to North Dakota to work at two television stations. Jack’s final job was starting the Biomedical Department at St Alexius Medical Center where he had worked for 28 years. During that time, he completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Mary.

Jack enjoyed so many things in his life which included family, friends and hard work.  He also enjoyed the outdoors, canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, walking, reading, working in the yard and tinkering on old cars and motorcycles.   His greatest joy was spending time with his four sons and many grandchildren.  Jack will be remembered for his optimism and the joy he took in the simple things of life.  He instilled in his sons the joy of exploring nature, the importance of giving back to the community and love of country.  He did this by encouraging participation in activities such as the Boy Scouts and by his own example.  Jack was very proud of his hand in the organization and development of the Biomedical Department and the ongoing dedication of his staff. On his retirement day, the members of the Biomedical team came to his house to walk his daily trek with him and celebrate his last day of work.  Jack was an active member of Cathedral Parish and over the years assisted in many fund-raising projects, was a member of the parish council, Eucharistic Minister, Usher and helped many years with St Mary’s Carnival.  He had a quiet faith that was very traditional stemming from his early years of Catholic education and his time as an altar boy.  Most recently he was an active participant in Eucharistic Adoration.  Jack had a firm belief in a higher power and the promise of eternal life.

Jack is survived by his wife of 64 years, their sons, Michael (Connie), Keith (Sheryl), Patrick (Julie) and Mark (Cinzia); eleven grandchildren, Melanie, Caryn, Kalie, Lindsey, Scott, Laura, Sarah, John, David, Jacob, and Joseph; great grandchildren, Lily, Cecelia, Aster, and Raelynn; brothers, Carl (Shannon) and Jim (Darlene); and sister, Carol (Doug) Pfau and many nieces and nephews.

Jack is preceded in death by his sisters, Betty (Willard) Wock and Agatha Schwartz; and brother, Bill and two infant granddaughters Rebecca and Katelyn.

In lieu of flowers, Jack has requested donations be sent to University of Mary, St Mary’s High School, or the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.

To view Jack’s Celebration of Life video, please click here.