Gene Schwein

Gene Jarvis Schwein passed away Sunday, September 6, 2015 in Manhattan, Kansas. He was 71.

Gene was born in Garden City, Kansas on June 12, 1944 to Keith Schwein and Gwendolyn (Jarvis) Schwein. Gene was raised on the family farmstead south of Ulysses. He graduated from Grant County Rural High School in 1962, having also attended Wentworth Military Academy for a year.

While in college at Wichita State University, Gene met and married Jo Lynn Day on June 20, 1964. After working for Boeing in Wichita for a short time, he returned to the family farm, where he remained for the rest of his working life.

Gene and Lynn had 2 sons, Shawn, born in 1964, and Eric born in 1966.

Gene had many hobbies and interests: team roping, pheasant hunting, singing in his church ensemble, and participating in civic events. Gene was a past president of the Grant County Farm Bureau, Ulysses Bit and Spur Club, and St John’s Episcopal Church Vestry. Perhaps his proudest accomplishment was being a Grant County Commissioner for 8 years, carrying on a tradition started by his Great-Grandfather JJ Carter, and Grandfather Glenn Jarvis.

In 2006, Gene and Lynn retired from farming. They split their time between the home place in Ulysses, and their beloved lake house in Council Grove, until Gene’s struggle with Parkinson’s disease forced him to move in 2013 to Via Christi Village in Manhattan, where he lived until his passing.

Gene is survived by Lynn, his beloved wife of 51 years, sons Shawn of Ulysses, Eric and his wife Amy, and his precious grandchildren Gwendolyn, Emily and Carter, all of Wamego. He is also survived by his sister Robinette Graber, brother-in-law David Graber, and sister-in-law Rue Nell Ford, all of Ulysses.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and 2 brothers, Galen and David Schwein.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, September 10, 2015, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ulysses. Father Dale Lumley will be the celebrant. Burial will be in the Ulysses Cemetery. Friends may call from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 with family present from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses. Memorials can be made to Pheasants Forever, or the Historic Adobe Museum in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880.