Rev. Alton W. Schwandt

Alton William Schwandt was born on October 30, 1927 on a dairy farm near Ripon, Wisconsin. He was the son of William and Dorthea Schwandt. He was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church of Ripon, Wisconsin.
Alton’s elementary school was a little one room country school and he graduated from Ripon High School where he excelled playing the trombone. After high school he worked on the family dairy farm for a year and then attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He graduated with a BA in music. Answering the call to Christian ministry, he was accepted to Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa and enjoyed participating in and directing the Wartburg’s Men’s chorus. He graduated from seminary in May of 1953 and was ordained in his home church in Ripon with uncle and brother (Roland) officiating.
During his second year at Seminary, he married Mary Ruth Alke on June 8, 1951. While in Dubuque, Mary was Superintendent of the Mount Pleasant Children’s and Old Folks Home. Alton was also the custodian of the St. John Cemetery in Dubuque, mowing lawns and digging graves.
His first call was to St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola, Iowa. This active congregation grew and a new church was built. Three children were born here: Nathan, Roxanne, and Susan.
After 5 years in Mineola, he was called to Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Collins Colorado. While in Fort Collins, Alton and Mary welcomed daughter Julianne to the family in 1964. They also welcomed nine foster children into their home. While in Fort Collins, he was chairman of the committee that founded Sky Ranch Lutheran Bible Camp. Alton continued his mission of service through his dedication to Sky Ranch for decades.
In August of 1969 he accepted a call to St. John Lutheran church in Beatrice, Nebraska. He led the radio ministry, “Voice of St. John”, which aired every Sunday. At St. John Alton was instrumental in starting and growing various church programs including the Bethel Bible Series, Search Bible Study, and Stephen Ministry. He also established the community pantry and introduced contemporary music services. He shared his love of music with the congregation by intoning the liturgical church service. Alton also served his community through the Beatrice School Board, Public Library Board, Kiwanis International, and singing in the Beatrice Homestead Harmonic Barbershop Chorus (Homestead Harmonizers). He was president of the Beatrice Kiwanis club and served as lieutenant governor of the regional Kiwanis International. He was chairman of the High School Parents Council, Chairman of the United Fund, and a Regent on the Board of Regents of Dana College. In 1983 he was honored with the Sertoma Service to Mankind award for his many contributions of service to his community.
Alton’s motto was “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace” which he lived daily.
He retired on October 31, 1992 and he and Mary relocated to Lincoln, Nebraska.
After retirement, he continued to serve congregations as interim pastor at Sheridan Lutheran and American Lutheran in Lincoln, St. Paul’s Lutheran in Grand Island, Beautiful Savior Lutheran in Palmyra and St. Paul Lutheran in Diller, Nebraska.
After his (final) retirement, he and Mary joined the fellowship of Southwood Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.
In 2011 he and Mary moved to Tallgrass Retirement Community in Overland Park, Kansas to be near daughter Susan and family. Alton and Mary are members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Overland Park, Kansas. Alton spent his final years at Blue Sage Care Center under the professional and compassionate care from staff and Ascend Hospice.
Alton is preceded in death by his parents, sister Edna (Merlin), and brother Roland (Mildred).
He is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years, Mary, children, son Nathan and wife Julie of Rapid City, South Dakota, Roxanne (Alan) of Waunakee, Wisconsin, Susan (Bruce) of Merriam, Kansas, and Julianne (Jon) in Monmouth Oregon. Grandchildren: Sarah (Chad) Bumgardner, Paul (Molly) Kaldahl, Eli (Abby) Kaldahl, Whitney (Andy) Fritzinger, Emily (Kyle) Czech, Ross (Brenna) Bansen, Christine (Zach) McKee, Allison (Jesse) Pratt, and Kaj (Sarah) Bansen. Great Grandchildren: Rhedec, Ryker and Azalea Bumgardner, Avery and Stella Kaldahl, Stan, Gracie, John and Ali Kaldahl, Daniel and Lucy Czech, Brooks Bansen, Charlie and Josie McKee and Bobbi Pratt.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 25, 2025 at the St. John Lutheran Church in Beatrice, NE. The service will be livestreamed by the church. Family prayer service will be held at 10:45 AM Saturday at the church. There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place, but a register book will be available for signatures on Friday, January 24, 2025 from 12:00-8:00 PM at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice. Inurnment will be at Lincoln Memorial Park in Lincoln, NE at a later date.
We give thanks and praise to our Heavenly Father for Alton’s life, love, and service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Wartburg Seminary, Carol Joy Holling Camp, or Tallgrass Philanthropy Fund in memory of Alton Schwandt with Sterling and Naomi Kohrs in charge locally.
As we remember Alton, we invite you to share your memories, watch his video tribute and service, and upload photos to the memorial page at www.ghchapel.com. His legacy lives on in each of us, and your stories will help us all celebrate his remarkable life.
These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.