Steven R. Schwan
Steven R. Schwan, 71, of Stratford, SD, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at his home.
Steven Ray Schwan was born on June 18, 1953, at Burtonwood Air Force Base in Lancashire, England, to Raymond G. and Darlys (Cowie) Schwan. He was baptized on July 26, 1953, at Chapel Sealand.
Steve was raised in rural Stratford and graduated from Northwestern High School in 1971. After high school, he attended Northern State College in Aberdeen for one year. He decided he knew more than he could ever learn in college and went to work driving school bus and doing janitorial work at the Northwestern School District. By his example, Steve leaves a legacy of hard work, having held many blue-collar jobs in his life. He did custom combining for Spear Harvesting driving truck and machinery following the harvest crew across the country.
He worked at Hub City Iron and Hub City Machine Works. Steve was a detail-oriented perfectionist and took great pride in a job well done. When Hub City Machine Works closed, Steve went to work at Midcom, where he worked the early morning shift which allowed him time to attend his children’s activities. He returned to his work as a machinist for HC Clark Implement. He took a job in the machine shop at Car Quest in Aberdeen for a few years before returning to HC Clark at Titan Machinery. He retired as a machinist from Meyer Tractor Salvage in 2019.
Steve met the love and pride of his life, Sharon Buehner, in September 1977 at a Northern State football game. The marching band was on break and she was looking for a place to sit. Given that all the other seats were taken, Sharon took the only other available option – Steve’s lap!
Steve and Sharon were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on May 24, 1980. They made their home in Stratford, South Dakota, where they were blessed with three children: Jackie, Joseph, and Austin.
Steve was especially proud of his grandchildren, loved attending their activities, supervising their shenanigans, and joking around with them. Steve had seven grandchildren, Jace, Jaxson, and Jameson; Jayden and Jordan; Amerlette and Harlee; and one great-grandson, Lukka.
In his spare time, Steve loved the outdoors, fishing and camping. He was a dedicated supporter of the Warner High School Band! Steve took great pride in his roles as husband, father, and grandfather and enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s school sports and activities. Steve was a big fan of Gunsmoke and Bonanza, watching every single episode. He also had a deep love for oldies music.
Steve is survived by his wife, Sharon of Stratford, SD; children, Jackie (John) Bender of Leola, SD, Joseph (Jodi) Schwan of Groton, SD, and Austin (Shawna) Schwan of Hull, IA; seven grandchildren; siblings, Sheila (Richard) Howard of Cave Springs, AR, Raymond A. (Marcia) Schwan of Aberdeen, SD, and Beth (Dean) Edgar of Orient, SD; mother-in-law, Jean Buehner; sisters-in-law Pam (Duane) Kruse, Lynn Wintersteen, Beth (Terry) Berndt and brother-in-law Glen (Tina) Buehner; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ancel and Elizabeth (Kesterman) Cowie and Joseph and Katherine (Usselman) Schwan; his parents; one infant sister, Ruth; his father-in-law Ronald Buehner; brothers-in-law, Ken Wintersteen and Lyle Vogt; nephew Derek Rogers; and infant nephew Jordan Berndt.