Kenneth Schwartz

Kenneth Earl Schwartz (74) passed away comfortably at his home January 18, 2023, ending his long bout with cancer.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 23, 2023 at the First United Methodist Church in Columbus. Visitation is 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Sunday with a 5:00 p.m. Prayer Service all at the church. Burial is in the Roselawn Cemetery in Columbus.

Ken was born on November 22, 1948 and raised by his grandmother, Sadie Swanson in Cairo, NE. He married his high school sweetheart, Lotys DeFreece and they welcomed daughter Patricia Lynn in 1966. Later they divorced and he married Diane Leffers and welcomed a second daughter, Tracy Nicole in 1973.

Ken met his Beloved, Kathy Johnston, in 1991 and added her 5 children to his heart. They combined his and hers into one big family. Ken and Kathy had 32 years of adventures together. Ken loved family, friends, football, and playing cards.

He is survived by his "One and Only", Kathy Johnston, daughters Patti (Craig) Parks of Kearney, Lisa (Parry) Siebenaler of Linwood, Lana (John) Robinson of Wahoo, and Lora Lighter of Columbus, sons Jonathan Johnston and Joseph (Lisa) Johnston of Harrisburg, SD, 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings Carla Ludacka, Tommi Joles, Ed (Jodi) Ruhe, and Melvina (Kevin) Langfeldt and many nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his mother Donna Ruhe, brothers-in-law Gilbert Ludacka and Louis Joles, daughter Tracy Johnson, and grandsons Brandon Reidy and Izac Johnston.