Doris Schwandt

Doris Schwandt, age 88 of Milbank died October 11, 2016, at Golden Living Center in Milbank.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 15, at 10:30 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank. Rev. Bill Cornelius will officiate and burial will be in the St. John’s Cemetery, Alban Township.

Visitation will be held on Friday at Mundwiler Funeral Home from 5 – 7 p.m. and continue at the church on Saturday, one hour prior to the service.

Doris (Skaarer) Schwandt was born on August 4, 1928, at the Milbank Hospital. She was the oldest of four daughters born to Elvin and Lillian (Erickson) Skaarer. Doris was baptized on September 2, 1928, and confirmed into the Lutheran faith on June 7, 1942. She attended school in Milbank and graduated from Milbank High School with the class of 1946.

While in school, Doris worked various jobs, including house cleaning, waitressing, and ushering at the theatre. She worked as a telephone operator from 1945-1950.

Doris was united in marriage with Myron Schwandt on September 1, 1950, in Milbank, SD. They were lifelong dairy farmers.

This union was blessed with nine children – six girls and three boys. While raising her family, Doris and Myron also owned and operated the Play-Mor Recreation Center from 1968-1971. Doris worked at St. Bernard’s Hospital in Milbank as a baker from 1988 – 1998 (ten years and eight months). She also worked as a housekeeper at the Columbian Hotel in Ortonville for a period of time. Myron passed away in 1991.
Doris remained on the family farm near Big Stone City, SD until the fall of 1993. Doris moved into Milbank and later moved into Golden Living Center in September of 2015.

Doris was a faithful and avid fan of the Milbank Bulldogs, the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings – seldom missing a game. Doris cherished her family. She enjoyed attending all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s activities, whether it was a sporting event or dance recital. She was always proud to be in attendance. She was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church and participated in the choir, circles, and various programs. Doris enjoyed bowling and her family will treasure the memories of her wonderful baking.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Roger (Linnea) Schwandt of Big Stone City, SD; Susan (Brian) Rice of Mayville, ND; Sandra (Bob) Schell of Big Stone City, SD; Rhonda Keller of Milbank, SD; Diane (Curt) Berkner of Milbank, SD; Richard (Julie) Schwandt of Big Stone City, SD; Ron (Gail) Schwandt of Liberty, MO; and Anita Schwandt of Milbank, SD; 25 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren (with two more due in December); son-in-law, Charles Johnson of Milbank, SD; sisters: Elaine Aden of Watertown, SD; Judy (Carlton) Anderson of Benson, MN; sister-in-law, Dorothy (Don) Kauers of Sioux Falls, SD; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Connie Johnson; sister and brother-in-law Bev and Alfred Novy.