Obituary of Lena K. Schweigerdt

Lena K. Schweigerdt’s time on this earth came to an end at age 99, as she was ushered to her eternal home on October 6, 2021 in Lodi, California. She was born to Henry and Katherine (Schmidt) Knoepfle in rural Artas, South Dakota; and in her early years she was a true farm girl. In 1941, she married Andrew Schweigerdt at the family home in Artas. Shortly thereafter the couple moved to Niagara Falls, New York, where they both worked at Bell Aircraft before and during the early years of the War (what a way to spend a honeymoon!). When the couple returned to South Dakota they farmed for a brief time during which their son, Bruce, was born. By 1947 the family had located to Aberdeen, and eventually Eureka, S.D., before packing up all their belongings and moving to Lodi where they lived out their years. Andy and Lena celebrated sixty-seven years of marriage before his passing in 2008 at age 92. The family attended First Baptist Church where Lena was active in Missionary Fellowship and remained a member at the time of her passing. During their years of retirement, they visited the Holy Lands on two occasions, as well as Russia before the fall of the Soviet Union. Lena is survived by her son, Bruce; four grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters: Stephen (Bronwyn and daughter, Edie), Shelly (husband, Nick Auriemmo), Katy (husband, Edouard Roberge), and Timothy (Kalina and daughter, Scarlett) as well as nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband; her daughter-in-law, Connie (Babitzke) Schweigerdt, as well as brothers, John (Erna) Knoepfle and Walter/Pete (Norma) Knoepfle, and her sister, Irene (Herbert) Lapp. The family acknowledges with gratitude the staff of Arbor Place for assisting her during the past several years, as well as Hospice of San Joaquin for their comforting care during her latter months. Lena loved, and was devoted to her Lord and Savior. Her life can best be expressed in these simple words: ‘To me, to live is Christ; and to die is gain.’ (Phil. 1:21, 2 Cor. 5:1-8) Truly she can say with her family: ‘On the happy, golden shore / Where the faithful part no more / When the storms of life are o’er / Meet me There.’