Tracy Jo Schwarte

Tracy Jo Schwarte was born on January 9, 1975, in Harlan, Iowa. He was raised in Earling, Iowa, and attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Earling, and Harlan High School, graduating in 1993. From 1992-93, Tracy served in the National Guard, where he received training as a helicopter tech. He also worked at Fareway in Harlan. Tracy had been an automotive mechanic for a number of area auto dealers, most recently working for the Andersen Automotive Group in Missouri Valley, Iowa. On October 19, 2002, Tracy married Angela Mae Evans in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Tracy was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling. He cared deeply for his wife, Angie, and new daughter, Febee. Tracy was proud of his work in the Pit Crew of a top-ten National Hot Rod Association top fuel drag racing team. He had toured the Midwest and West Coast with this group.

Tracy J. Schwarte died on Thursday, January 1, 2004, at his home in Earling, Iowa, at the age of 28 years, 11 months, and 23 days.

Tracy is survived by his wife, Angie Schwarte of Earling, Iowa; one daughter, Febee Schwarte of Earling, Iowa; his father, Gail Schwarte (Anita Buckley) of Earling, Iowa; one brother, Kelly (Tina) Schwarte of Earling, Iowa; and other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, January 6, 2004, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa, with Father Michael Berner serving as celebrant and Father Chuck Kottas serving as the homilist. Mary Wilwerding, Dave and Ruth Hoffman, and Chris Gaul were the musicians. Honorary casket bearers were Ken Schaffer, Garry Gaul, Larry Gundy, and Ed Michaels. Active casket bearers were Jason Gross, Jason Finken, Jim Gaul, Corey Freund, Scott Petersen, and Ed Reuschenberg. Military rites were performed by the Earling American Legion Post #615. Burial was in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Earling, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements.