Barbara Sahli Schwan

Barbara Sahli Schwan, 91, of Aberdeen, SD passed away Thursday, September 15, 2022, at Mother Joseph Manor.

Barbara Sahli was born December 4, 1930, to Kasper and Julia (Gabrial) Sahli in Roscoe, SD. She graduated from Roscoe High School in 1948. After graduation, she worked as a teacher at Onaka, SD.  In the early 1950’s she met the love of her life, Eugene (Gene) Schwan and on February 16, 1953, they were united in marriage in Roscoe, SD. Gene and Barb lived in Rapid City from 1953-1955. They returned to Aberdeen and Barb worked for a time at the telephone company as an operator. She and Gene bought Schwan’s Welding and Boiler Repair in 1963. She took care of the books and billings until they sold the business and retired in 1995.

Barb loved to bake and she would share her baked goods with family and friends. She won multiple ribbons at the Brown County Fair. Barb was also a long-time member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas, The Moose Lodge, and VFW Auxiliary.

Grateful to have shared Barb’s life are one daughter, Patricia (Ritchie) Kaul of Fargo, ND; son-in-law, Louis Fuchs of Tijeras, NM; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren: Heather (Dan) Van Engelenhoven and Breanna Kaul, Eva and Cora Van Engelenhoven of West Fargo, ND, Ryan (Ginger) Kaul of Mott, ND, David Haberer of St Mary’s, GA, Brandon (Chelsea) Fuchs of Estancia, NM and Henry and Tempest Fuchs, Jessica (Casey) Barton and Asher Barton of Rio Rancho, NM; one sister, Jean Schmitt of Rapid City, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kasper and Julia Sahli; husband, Gene Schwan; one daughter, Rose Marie Fuchs; one sister, Mary Deis; one brother, Harold Sahli.