David Schweisthal

David C. Schweisthal, age 79, of Faribault, former Rice County Sheriff, passed away on Monday, February 6, 2017 at the Lee Memorial Health System, Health Park, in Fort Myers, FL following an extended illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 10:30 am at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive in Faribault. Interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in Faribault with military honors conducted by the Rice County Central Veterans Association.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Friday from 3:00 to 7:00 pm and at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to services.

David Charles, the son of Robert and Dorothy (Parkos) Schweisthal, was born on November 10, 1937 in Faribault, MN. He attended Faribault High School and graduated with the class of 1955. After high school Dave served in the U.S. Army Reserves. On November 21, 1959 he was united in marriage to Janice Duffney at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Faribault. In 1964, Dave began his career with the Rice County Sheriff's Department and held many positions over the years. He was elected Sheriff in 1979 and held that position until his retirement in 1997. He always joked that he never got off the block where the Sheriff's Department was located as previous jobs were at Marigold Dairy and Conoco. As Sheriff, Dave was active in outreach to different groups and never missed an opportunity to speak to a group when he was asked. During his law enforcement career Dave also farmed in Walcott Township until they moved to town in 1988. In retirement Dave and Jan enjoyed spending their winters in Florida. He also worked various jobs in maintenance and with Dan LaCanne and his sons on their farm. He enjoyed working on and restoring John Deere B series tractors, reading westerns, watching humming birds and relaxing in the shade. He was a member of the Faribault Aerie 1460 Fraternal Order of Eagles, American Legion Post 43, Knights of Columbus Council 889 and the Elks Lodge, all of Faribault.

He is survived by his wife Janice of Faribault; his children, Traci (Mark) Sapp of Georgia and Rob Schweisthal of Mankato, MN; by three grandchildren, Phillip (Jessica) Schweisthal, Sara (Tony) Hoy and Tyler Schweisthal and by 9 great grandchildren; by his brother, Mark (Vickie) Schweisthal of Nerstrand, MN; by his sister-in-law, Karen Schweisthal of Faribault, MN and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Alan, his sister, Bev Haberman and his brother, Richard Schweisthal.