Berthold Bud Schwarz

Surrounded by his beloved family and despite a heroic fight, Berthold James Bud Schwarz lost his battle and succumbed to the complications of Parkinson’s Disease on July 13, 2016, in Fargo, North Dakota.

Berthold J. Bud Schwarz was born at St. John’s Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota, on January 16, 1933, to Laura Ellen Brown and Berthold Joseph Schwarz, the first in his family of nine children to be born in a hospital. He grew up in the Fargo-Moorhead area and graduated in 1950 from Moorhead High School in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Upon his graduation from high school, Bud worked for Corwin Churchill in Fargo, North Dakota, until 1953 when he volunteered to join the United States Armed Services. He proudly served his country in Company B 1-23rd Infantry Regiment in Fort Lewis, Washington, and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Bud was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant from the Army in 1955 and served in the Minnesota Army Reserve until 1961. Bud remained proud of his military service throughout his life and supported many veteran organizations and causes. He resumed his career in the retail auto parts industry, retiring from UESCO Warehouse after over 20 years with the company.

Bud married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Marlys Ardel Hutsy Rehder on November 14, 1953, and the couple settled in Fargo, North Dakota, making it their home where they raised two daughters, Peggy Jo and Suzanne Terri. Bud and Marlys retired and moved to their home on Paul Lake in Perham, Minnesota. For nearly 40 years, Bud and his family enjoyed many happy summers boating, swimming, fishing and skiing with the Paul Lake Ski Club. Bud became a member of the Perham, Minnesota, community where he volunteered his services to the Habitat for Humanity and enjoyed fellowship with the Calvary Lutheran Mens Breakfast Club.

The joys in Bud’s life were family, friends, hunting and fishing. In his later years, Bud enjoyed the Fargo South High girls volleyball and basketball families, watching his granddaughter play and the hugs and high-fives after every game. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marlys; daughter Peggy Jo Barnum and grandchildren Michael, Aaron AJ and Christian; daughter and son-and law Suzanne Terri and Robert L. III Stroup and grandchildren Laura, Robert L. IV, Amy and Emily, and great-grandchild Robert L. V. Bud is also survived by sisters Dorothy Hustad and Lois Fincham, along with many loving cousins, nephews, nieces and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Berthold and Laura, brothers Charles and Harold, and sisters Laura Moeller, Lenora Lindsey, Elizabeth Betty Hanson and Donna Nemzek.

Bud enjoyed great faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and was active in the Lutheran Church throughout his life, including Calvary Lutheran in Perham, Minnesota, and Hope Lutheran South Campus in Fargo. Rejoice with us as Bud enters the grace of God and reunites with his lost loving family and friends.

The family expresses its sincere gratitude to the entire staff, but especially to the caregivers working in Cottage Grove at Bethany on 42nd Street, and the staff from Hospice of the Red River Valley. Your concern, support and tender care made all the difference in the last year of his life.