Connie L. Schwartz

Obituary

Connie Lynn (Ekeberg) Schwartz was born on December 8, 1961, in Fosston, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Roger and Verna (Strand) Ekeberg. Connie was baptized on February 18, 1962, and later confirmed in her faith as a youth on May 21, 1978, both at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston, Minnesota. Connie received her education in the Fosston Public School District and graduated with the Fosston High School class of 1981. Connie continued her education at the Detroit Lakes Vocational School studying Culinary Arts.

It was at culinary school, that Connie met Mark. Connie was united in marriage to Mark Schwartz on June 28, 1986, at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston. The couple made their home in Lester Prairie, Minnesota. Connie and Mark were blessed with two daughters, Rachel and Erin. The couple shared over 38 years together.

Connie was employed as a cook at Midway Nursing Home in Fosston for a number of years. After moving to Lester Prairie, she was employed at The Depot and later at Medallion Kitchens in Waconia, Minnesota. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie.

Connie was a loving wife and mother. She was a fierce protector of her family and her loved ones. Family time was greatly cherished; especially spending it with her 4 grandchildren. Connie was kind to everyone she met and found great joy in caring for others. Connie took great pleasure in spending time in the kitchen, cooking and baking up a storm. Just a few of her many culinary specialties were her potato dumplings and meatballs. Everyone, family and friends alike, always enjoyed Connie’s cooking and baking. When Connie wasn’t in the kitchen, she enjoyed sitting and relaxing by the window and bird-watching, always keeping an eye out for her favorite, the cardinal.

Connie passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the age of 62 years, 10 months, and 29 days. Blessed be her memory.

Connie is survived by her
Husband, Mark Schwartz of Lester Prairie, MN;
Daughters, Rachel Garfunkel and her husband, Drew, of Hutchinson, MN, Erin Schuerman and her husband, Ben, of Hutchinson, MN;
Grandchildren, Christina Garfunkel, Emily Garfunkel, Jillian Schuerman, Grant Schuerman;
Siblings, Sheryl (Ron) Dahl of Fosston, MN,
               Rodney Ekeberg of Fosston, MN,
               Kevin Ekeberg of Fosston, MN,
               Mark (Rafaela) Ekeberg of Shakopee, MN,
               Steven (Georgette) Ekeberg of Glencoe, MN,
               Karen (David) McCowan of Wayzata, MN;
Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law, Ray (Cathy) Schwartz of Peyton, CO,
                                                         Becky Ristow of Hutchinson, MN,
                                                         Les (Noelle) Schwartz of Edmonds, WA,
                                                         Donna Schwartz of Hutchinson, MN;
Many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Connie was preceded in death by her Father and Mother, Roger and Verna Ekeberg; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Clarence and Betty Schwartz; Brother-in-law, Paul Schwartz; Grandparents, Edwin and Alma Ekeberg, John and Pauline Strand.