Louise B. Schwanke
Louise B. Schwanke, 100, passed away Saturday, January 16, 2016, at Citizens Medical Center in Colby. She was born to William Frederick Winter and Clara Marie Steffen Winter on April 6, 1915 in a farm house located near Robinson, Kansas.
Louise is survived by sons John Schwanke and wife Becky, Hiawatha, Kansas; Charles Schwanke and wife Debbie, Colby, Kansas; Vernon Schwanke and wife Robin, Colby, Kansas; and grandchildren Cole and wife Leigh Ann, Overland Park, Kansas; Michael and wife Tenille, Bel Aire, Kansas; Justin and wife Mary Beth, Bel Aire, Kansas; Jennifer, Manhattan, Kansas; Connor, San Marcos, Texas.; great grandchildren Peri, Olivia, Jorja, Jayda, Grayson, Westin, and Morgan; nephews Steve Winter, Hiawatha, Kansas; James Winter, Lecompton, Kansas; Kendall Schwanke, Hesston, Kansas; Randall Schwanke, Scott City, Kansas; and Maurice Schwanke, Arlington, Texas; nieces Nancy Weingart, Hiawatha, Kansas; Ann Dieter, Raymore, Missouri; Lisa Schwanke Nuzback, Ankeny, Iowa; Connie Schwanke Rubarsky, Kansas City; Marlene Decker, Whittier, California.; Debbie Hagewood, Whittier, California; Jane Viers, Livingston, Montana; Virginia Mingee, Kansas City; and Sylvia Trusdale, John’s Creek, Georgia; sisters-in-law Laura Schwanke, Whittier, California; and Joy Schwanke, Overbrook, Kansas. She is also survived by numerous great nieces and nephews.
After graduating high school, Louise attended Emporia State Teacher’s College receiving her teaching certificate in 1936. She taught for five years at Prairie College Country School in Brown County, Kansas, and at schools in Morrill, Kansas and Enterprise, Kansas. She met her husband Orville in 1943 while teaching in Enterprise. During World War II, while Orville was serving his country, she worked for the Quarter Master Depot, Department of the Army, in Kansas City, Washington D.C., New York City and Chicago. The couple was united in marriage Sept. 6, 1946 at her parents’ home located near Robinson, Kansas.
Louise and Orville built a skating rink in Scott City, Kansas soon after moving from Robinson. In 1948 they added a four-lane bowling center to the rink. In 1949 they bought the local swimming pool creating “Schwanke Amusements.” In 1955 they added four more lanes to the bowling center. In addition, the couple built a bowling center in Dighton in 1960 and in 1967 purchased Parkview Lanes in Colby. In 1974 they opened what is now the Colby Bowl.
Louise lived most of her adult life in Scott City where she was an active member of the United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. She was a founding member of the Pyramid China Painters of Scott City and a charter member of El Quartelejo Study Club. In addition she was a member of community organizations and was a past member of the Scott Community School Board. She moved to Colby to be near family in March 2011.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Orville Schwanke, on Dec. 8, 1995; father William and mother Clara, sister Lillian Winter, brothers Arthur Winter and Wilbur Winter, and sister-in-law Betty Winter.
Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, January 19, from 2-8 p.m. and Wednesday, January 20, from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. At Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
Services will be held on Thursday, January 21, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Scott City with the Rev. John Lewis presiding.
Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.
Memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church in Scott City or the Scott County Museum in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.
