Clarence Henry Schwierjohann

Clarence Henry Schwierjohann, 87, passed away on Friday, November 22, 2024. A funeral service will be held at 11AM on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home with visitation to be held for an hour prior. Interment shall be held at Hillside cemetery in Sheffield, Iowa. Joyce Shaman will be officiating.

His work in this world is done, Clarence H. Schwierjohann of Glenville, MN, was called to eternal rest on November 22, 2024. He was doing what he loved most - working in his garden when he ingested a nocardia bacteria. The infection eventually took over his body in the last month of his life.

Clarence was born on July 27, 1937, in Franklin County, Iowa, to Herman and Anna (Steenhardt) Schwierjohann. He attended school in Sheffield, IA, and worked on the family farm.

On December 23, 1956, he married his best friend Karnella Vierkant and settled in Glenville, MN to raise their two daughters and two sons. Clarence and Karnella were long-time members of the Glenville United Methodist Church.

Clarence loved camping and traveling on the open road. Trips to California, Utah, Alaska and wintering in Arizona created some of the greatest friendships and memories over the years. To help support his camping habit, Clarence and Karnella volunteered as camp hosts to Big Island State Park for several years.

His work ethic and love of the church spoke volumes about the man. He was eager to give his time and energy to help repair the church. At home, there was always something to do. No matter what, Clarence led by example and would not stop until the work was finished.

Clarence was a gifted carpenter and built many houses in the Glenville area, including four of his own.

Clarence held many jobs in his life and for 27 years worked at Piepho Moving and Storage as a long-haul truck driver, retiring for the first time in 2001. During that time, he received several awards, from Allied Van Lines for his accident and claim-free service, to include being recognized as the Senior Safe Driver of the year in 1994.

In his second work life, he provided his skill to the Freeborn County Fairgrounds and retired for good in 2016 and was recognized for his contributions to the fairgrounds.

In retirement he loved spending time with his family.

Clarence is survived by his soulmate of 67 years, Karnella, and his children Tamara Wilson of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, Maridee (Bradley) Wildeman of Gretna, Nebraska; Lawrence (Billie Jo) Schwierjohann of New Richland, Minnesota and Lee (Sherry) Schwierjohann of Apple Valley, Minnesota; grandchildren Taletha (Dennis) Bonner, Andrew Wildeman, Torrance (Alisha) Wilson, Kelsey (Tony) Odem, Tevis (Myracle Speller) Wilson, Madison (Brad) Claycomb, and Macoy (Arionna Neumann) Schwierjohann; 16 great-grandchildren and one soon to be great grandchild; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ed Schwierjohann, sister and brother-in-law Anna Mae and Jerry Marquardt, sister and brother-in-law Nadine and Wayne Reiher, nephew Rick Schwierjohann and his wife Bonnie, nephew Melvin Marquardt, and niece Nancy Frazier.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Glenville United Methodist Church, Glenville, MN.