Eugene "Geno" Marshall Schwarz

Eugene "Geno" Marshall Schwarz, farmer and lifelong resident of Blue Earth County passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 31, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Vernon Center. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 9 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will be at North Willow Creek Cemetery.

Geno, as he was known by many, was born on August 18, 1934, to Lorenz and Leona (Bloede) Schwarz. He completed the first eight grades at a country school near his childhood home, then finished his high school years at Garden City High School, graduating in 1952. He then began a lifelong career farming with his father, then later successfully on his own. After meeting Joanne Bergervoet one night at the Kato Ballroom, they married on May 26,1958, making their home near Vernon Center with the family farm close by. Together they raised six children.

In his early years, Geno enjoyed snowmobiling and tractor pulling with his beloved John Deere 4010 winning numerous local/state NTPA-sanctioned pulls. Through the years, he enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas, casino trips (with the Black Jack tables often calling his name), playing cards and ice fishing and snowmobile trips to northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. In 1971, Geno, along with his partner Jerry Rollings, formed Viking Ranch. Viking Ranch bred and raised purebred Simmental and Maine Anjou cattle. In 1975, Viking Ranch became known for breeding the first polled purebred Maine Anjou bull in the United States.

Upon retiring, Geno spent his time crop checking, coffee time with neighbors and friends and old-tyme polka dances with Joanne. They were excellent dancers. Known somewhat as a prankster, Geno enjoyed playing tricks on his friends, neighbors, and particularly his own family. No one was off limits to him. His last years found him living, with assistance, at Pathstone in Mankato. He likely left a lasting impression with staff and residents by sharing with them his love of Kit Kat candy bars.

Geno was baptized, confirmed and married at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Vernon Center. As a member of St. Peter's, he served many positions. Geno was also a former school board member of Wellcome Memorial High School in Garden City. He was also the first secretary of the local county chapter of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.

Geno is survived by his wife, Joanne, six children: Catherine (Michael) Riley, Amboy, MN, Thomas Schwarz, Vernon Center, MN, Jeffrey Schwarz, Cedar Creek, TX, Cheryl Lindquist, Mankato, MN, Nancy (Joseph) Duncan, Browerville, MN and Todd (Kari) Schwarz, Vernon Center, MN; ten grandchildren: Dusty (Tina) Riley, Ross (Chelsey) Riley, Joel (Chelsea) Schwarz, Alyssa (Nick) Rademacher, Laura (Austen) Wollenburg, Lindsey (Eric) Schoenberg, Matt (Emily) Lindquist, Katie Schwarz, Ryan (Lindsay) Lindquist, Cody Schwarz; 18 great-grandchildren with number 19 arriving in May. He's also survived by many in-laws, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceeded in death by his parents Lorenz and Leona, brothers Wallace, Kenneth and Dale; and mother- and father-in-law, Selma and Bernard Bergervoet.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the staff of Mayo Health Care System and Ecumen Pathstone Living for their excellent care given to Geno the past three years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family, which will shared with organizations and charities that were important to Geno.