Harold Schweisthal

Harold F. Schweisthal, age 73, of Faribault, died Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN.             Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Patrick in Shieldsville, 7525 Dodd Road, Faribault, MN, with the Rev. Kevin Finnegan, pastor officiating. Interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in Faribault at a later date.             Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Sunday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Monday for one hour prior to services.             The family prefers that memorials be directed to the Faribault Area Hospice or the Special Needs Ministry at Divine Mercy Catholic Church. Harold enjoyed volunteering his time for different groups. Another way to memorialize him would be to give of yourself and volunteer your time and talent to help others.             Harold Franklin Schweisthal, the son of Francis and Martina (VanDenBoom) Schweisthal, was born on November 3, 1936 in Austin, MN. He attended Medford High School and graduated with the class of 1955. On May 19, 1956 he was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Thamert at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Owatonna, MN. Harold worked for over 35 years in southeastern Minnesota for Land O' Lakes, first in Field Service and later as the Procurement Manager. During this time Harold was also a fixture as an umpire for Men's Softball Leagues in Faribault for many years. In retirement Harold drove bus for Faribault Transportation. Spending time watching his grandchildren in their many events and activities was very important to him, along with being with his children. He also enjoyed being a volunteer and one way that he did this was helping with Fiesta Time, the Special Needs Ministry at Divine Mercy Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 889 in Faribault.             He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Patricia Schweisthal of Faribault; by five children, Kim (David) Paschke of Fairmont, Michael (Jill) Schweisthal of Owatonna, MN, Mark (Pam) Schweisthal of Shorewood, MN, Karen (Paul) Sommers of Faribault and Cheri Schweisthal (fiancé Jeff Hollaway) of St. Louis Park, MN; by 12 grandchildren, Chris Paschke, Pat Paschke, Tim Schweisthal, Sarah Schweisthal, Kyle Schweisthal, Nic Schweisthal, Kristen Schweisthal, Troy Sande, Nicole Sommers, Peter Sommers, Taylor Sommers and Nathaniel Sommers and by one great granddaughter, Alexis Sackett; by six siblings, Don Schweisthal of Florida, Jim (Diane) Schweisthal of Alabama, Dr. Paul (Sandra) Schweisthal of Virginia, Frank Schweisthal of Ohio, Ruth (Jake) Gillen of Faribault and John (Kay) Schweisthal of Owatonna, MN; by his brother in law, Dick Wolfe of Georgia and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.             He was preceded in death by his parents, son Gregg Schweisthal, sister Marion Wolfe and sister in law, Mary Schweisthal.