Elverna I. (Barkow) Schwenke

Elverna I. Schwenke, age 94 of the Town of Pella, Shawano County passed away Wednesday evening, December 17, 2025 at Kindred Hearts Assisted Living in Clintonville. 

Elverna Inez Barkow was born on July 3, 1931 as the daughter of the late Walter and Clara (Teske) Barkow. She grew up in Shawano County and was united in marriage to Donald Schwenke on August 20, 1949 at the St. Paul’s Stoney Hill Church near Shawano. The couple bought a farm in the Town of Bear Creek in 1959 where Elverna enjoyed working in her gardens; canning the bountiful harvest each year. They later sold the farm and moved to the Town of Pella. Elverna worked as a waitress at The Coffee Cup in Clintonville prior to becoming a CNA at Maple Lane Health Care Center; retiring after 25 years in the 1980s. Each year she looked forward to bowling in league and going camping with family on their land in Conover. Elverna was a member of the Lawn & Garden Club and volunteered at the church thrift store in Shawano. She was a faithful Christian and devoted member of St. Martin Lutheran Church in Clintonville where she was a longtime member of the Ladies Aid. Elverna also served as a member of the VFW Auxiliary in Clintonville. She was a hardworking and very giving person; keeping her Lord as her focal point throughout her life.

Survivors include: 

Her Children: Debbie (David) Buchert, Diane (Rick) Sauer, Donna Abresch, Darla House, Dennis (Nancy) Schwenke, and Daren (Christine Nievaard) Schwenke.

Grandchildren: Shannon (Erika) Schwenke, Ryden Nievaard, Lisa, David Jr. (Aimee), and Timothy (Tristan) Buchert, Tammy Rose, Kristy (Aaron) Hojnacke, Paul (Vickie), Christopher (Alyssa), and James (Christina) House.

Great-Grandchildren: Logan (Courtney), Dolan, Gabriel, Talia, Ava, Isabella, Ashleigh, Addleigh, Steven, Winter, Faith, Ashley, Zoe, Michael, Gabriel, Lennon, Kimon, Devon, & Hannah.

Great-Great-Grandson: Carson.

Sisters: Elaine Tooley and Ardeen (Jack) Gasser.

Sisters-in-law: Joanne Barkow and RuthAnn Buelow.

Elverna was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Clara Barkow, her husband Donald Schwenke in 2008, a son-in-law Walter House, a grandson Steven Michael House, brothers Leroy and Franklin Barkow, and a brother-in-law T.J. Tooley.

Elverna’s funeral service will be held Friday, December 26, 2025 at 11am at the St. Martin Lutheran Church in Clintonville with Rev. Hayden Lukas officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Embarrass. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 10am until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the St. Martin Ladies Aid. The Schwenke family would like to thank the staff at both Kindred Hearts and Aster Assisted Living for their wonderful care during Elverna’s stay. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Clintonville is assisting her family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com