Obituary for Ronald "Dutch" Schwieger

Ronald L. "Dutch" Schwieger, 80, of Grand Island, died on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at CHI- Health St. Francis.Celebration of life service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the Gollaher Chapel of Trinity United Methodist Church. Reverend Kelly Karges will officiate. Burial of ashes will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Military honors rendered by the United States Marine Corp and the United Veterans Honor Guard. Gathering of family and friends will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at All Faiths Funeral Home. Dutch was born on October 3, 1937 to Don and Junetta (Mintken) Schwieger, in North Platte. He was raised and received his education in Grand Island, graduating from Grand Island Senior High in 1956. From there, Dutch served two years active duty in the United States Marine Corp from 1956-58.He was united in marriage to Dorothy Roe on October 17, 1959. Dutch and Dorothy made their home and raised their two sons in Grand Island, where Dutch first worked with his father in construction. He joined the Grand Island Fire Department in 1964; was appointed training officer in 1971; Deputy Chief in 1974; and Fire Chief in 1984. He retired in 1994. He is a past member of the VFW, Platt Duetsche Society, Grand Island Saddle Club and a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Dutch loved fishing, hunting, golfing, and horse racing. He spent some of his retirement working at Fonner Park in the Club House during race season. He was also the Junior National Champion in the Vandalia, OH National Trap Shoot. Some of his fondest memories include spending time at Harlan County Reservoir, his fishing trips with his granddaughters, and his breakfast club at the Cow Palace.Those that will forever cherish his memory include his wife of 58 years Dorothy; children, Bob (Penny) Schwieger of Grand Island, and David (Hedi) Schwieger of Howard City, MI.; brother, Charlie (Kay) Schwieger of Georgia; four grandchildren, Ashley Schwieger, Lindsey (Brandon) Burch, Jacy Schwieger, and Sunny Schwieger; and two great grandchildren, Braxton and Bentley Burch.Dutch is preceded in death by his parents, Don and Junetta Schwieger and grandparents Charles and Marie Haley and Henry and Lucy Mintken.Memorials are suggested to the comfort dog ministry or Trinity United Methodist Church.