James Stephen Schwarzenberger

Jim was born Feb. 10, 1934 in Idaho Falls, ID to Anton James and Ella May Schwarzenberger. He attended Holy Rosary Catholic School and Idaho Falls High School, where he was active in track, boxing, wrestling, and football. He graduated from Idaho State University with a major in Business Administration. During his senior year, he was voted Class President as a write-in candidate. He was a founding charter member of the ISU Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity. After college, Jim met his beloved wife, Lucille Newman, and they were married Nov. 17, 1962 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. In their early years, Jim worked in a number of business careers, including insurance and apparel. He also started his long career with the City of Idaho Falls, beginning first with maintaining the grounds at Sportsman's Park. Years later in his retirement, he was honored by the city during the dedication of The Friendship Garden, which is situated at Sportsman's Park and was built to celebrate thirty years of the City of Idaho Falls' association with Tokai-Mura, its Japanese sister city. As Jim and Lucille were starting their family, they also began farming and raising sheep on the land that would eventually become Sand Creek Golf Course. Farming and raising sheep were two of Jim's life-long dreams. As the city embarked on its plans to build the new course, Jim helped develop the course and eventually became its superintendent. One of his most memorable contributions to the city was designing and building the Junior Course at Sand Creek, one of few junior courses nationwide. His work received national recognition from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), of which he was an active member. After a number of years at Sand Creek, Jim and Lucille bought a farm in Roberts, ID and moved there with their eight children. Although he continued his full time job at the course, Jim also worked full time farming alfalfa and grain. His real passion, however, was raising sheep. He was a member of the Idaho Woolgrowers Association. He enjoyed raising sheep because they provided multiple sources of income: earnings from wool sales and from the lambs, which often came in litters of twins and even triplets. Jim also appreciated the religious symbolism, with God being the Good Shepherd and Jesus being the Lamb of God. Jim's faith was the foundation and inspiration of his life. He was a lifetime member of the Idaho Falls Catholic Community, where he attended Holy Rosary Church and St. Anthony Parish in Roberts, ID. Jim also had a great devotion to Mary, Our Blessed Mother, and he was very happy to make two pilgrimages to the Basilica of the Virgen de Guadalupe in Mexico City. Despite his many family and work commitments, Jim was very generous with his time and would help those in need. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Full Gospel Business Men's Association. He was also co-President with Lucille of the PTA at Holy Rosary School. He had a special place in his heart for the Hispanic community, often helping migrant workers who moved to Idaho, particularly within the Roberts community. He was even known to pick up hitchhikers needing a ride as he was traveling from Idaho Falls to Roberts. Although he had many accomplishments throughout his life, Jim would often say his greatest legacy was his children and grandchildren. He dedicated his life to his family, and he instilled in all his children his strong work ethic. He and Lucille made many sacrifices for their children, and his greatest gift was his faith and his love of God, which he made sure he passed on to them, most notably through his example and the way he lived his life. Up until his last year, Jim enjoyed traveling with Lucille. He would take trips across the country to visit his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed traveling abroad, and some of his fondest memories were traveling to Rome, Mexico, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico. Jim was an avid reader and life-long student of knowledge. He especially loved languages. In addition to his great command of English, he studied Latin and Greek etymology in high school, and Spanish in college and throughout his life. At one point, one of his career goals was to get a welding job in South America where he could use his Spanish. He enjoyed fly fishing, hunting, golfing, and playing Pictionary and Guesstures with his family. He also enjoyed watching boxing and the Utah Jazz. Jim's life was about sacrifice and service. He was never one to boast or seek the praise of others. When asked what he did for a living, he would not say he was a business man, a farmer, or even a golf course superintendent. He would simply say he was a sheepherder. In the end, Jim will be remembered as a good shepherd: a faithful husband, a loving father, a loyal friend, and a humble servant to his church and community. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Anton and Ella Schwarzenberger; brother Elmer Schwarzenberger; brother Paul Schwartzenberger; sister Evelyn Leonardson; sister Lavern Sauers; and son-in-law, Mark Taylor. He is survived by his wife, Lucille Schwarzenberger; his eight children: Rosemarie Schwarzenberger, Frances Lopez (Carlos), Stephen Schwarzenberger, David Schwarzenberger (Mirma), Patricia Taylor (Mark), Matthew Schwarzenberger (Angela), Daniel Schwarzenberger, and Timothy Schwarzenberger (Marie); and his eighteen grandchildren. A Rosary will be recited on Thursday, July 2, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. at Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home, 825 E. 17th Street in Idaho Falls, with visitation following. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 3, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 145 9th Street in Idaho Falls. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Birthright, the Shepherd's Inn, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Online condolences may be left at www.buckmillerhann.com.James Stephen Schwarzenberger, 81, passed away Saturday, June 27, 2015, at Life Care Center in Idaho Falls. Lucille, his loving wife of 52 years, was at his side.

Service Details.

Visitation

When: Thursday, July 2nd, 2015
Location: Funeral Home
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Second Visitation

When: Thursday, July 2nd, 2015
Location: Funeral Home
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Service

When: Friday, July 3rd, 2015
Location: Funeral Home
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Interment

Location: Funeral Home
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