Karl Martin Schwichtenberg

Karl Martin Schwichtenberg was surrounded by family as he peacefully passed away at home on January 10, 2023, following a long and brave battle with cancer. He was a man of great faith who was grateful for 70 well-lived years in which he enjoyed each day to its fullest. A lifelong Minnesotan, Karl was born in Rochester, MN. He was the middle of five siblings whom he loved dearly. He remained close to them throughout his life. He graduated from St. Olaf College in 1974. Karl married the love of his life, Kim, in 1980 and was blessed with 42 years joyfully by her side. They enjoyed a lifetime of travel - hiking Machu Picchu, completing the Tour du Mont Blanc with friends, traveling to Israel, and many trips to Europe. Together they raised two children, Anne and Jeff, who made him exceptionally proud. They are now grown and raising families of their own. Anne married Joel and they have two children. Jeff married Stacey, and together they blended their family with a wedding that was planned quickly to ensure Karl could fully participate in such a wonderful event. Karl was the best "Papa", a title he wore with honor. He loved his four grandchildren deeply - Vanessa, Aria, Charlotte, and Henry Karl, who was named after his grandfather and with whom he shared a special bond. Karl will be remembered by those who loved him as someone who never met a stranger, only a friend. He loved to tell stories (and maybe a few tall tales), play a round of cribbage, lend a hand to those in need (especially if that need involved cleaning up trees after a severe storm), and dance with anyone willing to partner with him on the dance floor. He especially loved dancing with Anne to "their" song, Brown Eyed Girl. An avid outdoorsman, Karl was happiest on the golf course or fishing with Jeff or Joel. Karl was a dedicated member of two church communities, Normandale Hyland United Methodist and Hamline Church United Methodist. A lover of music, Karl sang first tenor in the Augsburg Centennial Singers choir, traveling throughout the state and to Arizona to perform music that lifted the spirits of all who saw them sing. Karl volunteered for causes dear to him, traveled on many mission trips, donated blood (46 gallons to be exact), and taught Sunday School and Ski Jammers for many years. Karl is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Joyce Schwichtenberg and his in-laws, John and Carol Knobloch. He is survived by his wife Kim, daughter Anne, son-in-law Joel, son Jeff and daughter-in-law Stacey, four grandchildren, four loving siblings and their partners, two sisters-in-law, many nieces and nephews, as well as a wide community of neighbors and friends. Friends and family are invited to join us as we celebrate Karl's life on Saturday, February 18th at 10:00 a.m. for visitation and 11:00 a.m. for the service at Hamline Church United Methodist at 1514 Englewood Ave. St. Paul. A lunch will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, Karl hoped those wishing to honor him would support Hamline Church, the Memorial Blood Center, or the Augsburg Centennial Singers. Guests are invited to wear colors in lieu of black for a joyful celebration. Interment will follow later this summer. Service will also be live streamed at hamlinechurch.org/worship/live-stream

Tributes

Karl Martin Schwichtenberg

September 19, 1952 - January 10, 2023

Tributes

Karl Martin Schwichtenberg

September 19, 1952 - January 10, 2023

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