Every time I think of Yellowstone I think of you and how you met, married Wendy and made two beautiful girls. You will be missed , love you Wolfman.
Donald J. Schwartz
December 21, 1963 – March 29, 2024
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 12, 2024 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Clearwater for Donald J. Schwartz, age 60, of Monticello, who passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024 at his home. Reverend Dennis Backer will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at St. Luke’s Catholic Church.
Donny was born on December 21, 1963 to Aloysius “Jim” and Vera (Holker) Schwartz in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He grew up North of St. Joseph in Pleasant Acres and graduated from Apollo High School in 1982. In 1988, he moved to Yellowstone where he worked as a bell hop at Lake Hotel during the summer months and as a snow coach driver at Snow Lodge during the winter. He famously began the annual Yellowstone Wolf Night, a summer “Halloween” event. This lead to him earning many nicknames including, Wolf, Wolfie, Wolfman and many others. During his time in Yellowstone, he also met the love of his life, Wendy Britt and they were united in marriage in the Summer of 1993 at Mammoth Hot Springs Chapel in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Together, they moved to Baytown, Texas where their first daughter, Madison was born. They later moved back to Minnesota where their youngest daughter, Johanna was born. They then moved back to Baytown, Texas. After ten years of marriage, they divorced, but remained very good friends. Donny later moved back to Minnesota to care for his parents and began an 11 plus year career working for Home Depot. A dedicated and hardworking man, Donny earned five Platinum Milestone awards as well as the prestigious Diamond Award from Home Depot. The Diamond Award is the highest award given to a Home Depot employee; an award only four others have managed to achieve at the Monticello Home Depot store. Donny always considered his coworkers at Home Depot as his second family.
Donny was a loving father, son, brother and godfather who always enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed collecting Yellowstone National Park memorabilia, wood working, going to flea markets, grilling, fishing, scraping with father and going to Hawk’s Bar in Monticello. He will be remembered as a people person; for his extreme generosity, and wonderful sense of humor. He could talk to the wall and the wall would laugh at his jokes!
He is survived by his children, Madison Schwartz and Johanna (fiancé, Conor Kulig) of Baytown, TX; father, Jim of Monticello; siblings, Kenneth (Julie) of Clearwater, Michael of St. Cloud, and Tom (Krista) of Clearwater; former spouse and lifelong best friend, Wendy Walker; and godchildren, Laura Colvin and Benjamin Schwartz; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Vera.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
“I’m not saying… I’m just saying”
Guestbook
I can’t say too much because it could very well get me in trouble. 😉 You were one of the first people that I met in Yellowstone and we went on to form a great friendship that included some wild, crazy, fun times and adventures that are well engrained in my brain housing unit. I’ve missed you these past few years and will miss you even more now. Peace, brother!
To the Schwartz family and friends , So sad to hear of your loss. Interestingly enough, my father called me yesterday when I was on my way to look at a job in Pleasant Ares. He had told me about the passing of Donny and when I got to the house I was to look at to bid on a flooring job, it was right across the street from the old Schwartz house when we were children. Flooded with a whole host of memories remembering Donny for his quick wit. Being right behind Donny with age…, 60 seems much too young. RIP Donny!
Ken and family, Tom and family, Jim, and Mike, we are so very sorry for your, and all of our loss. We deeply regret that we will be unable to attend Don’s memorial. I am grateful that I was able to see and talk to my cousin Don a few days ago. He is always in our hearts.
I’m so sorry for your loss
Services
Schedule Details
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 12, 2024 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Clearwater for Donald J. Schwartz, age 60, of Monticello, who passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024 at his home. Reverend Dennis Backer will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at St. Luke’s Catholic Church.
Donny was born on December 21, 1963 to Aloysius “Jim” and Vera (Holker) Schwartz in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He grew up North of St. Joseph in Pleasant Acres and graduated from Apollo High School in 1982. In 1988, he moved to Yellowstone where he worked as a bell hop at Lake Hotel during the summer months and as a snow coach driver at Snow Lodge during the winter. He famously began the annual Yellowstone Wolf Night, a summer “Halloween” event. This lead to him earning many nicknames including, Wolf, Wolfie, Wolfman and many others. During his time in Yellowstone, he also met the love of his life, Wendy Britt and they were united in marriage in the Summer of 1993 at Mammoth Hot Springs Chapel in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Together, they moved to Baytown, Texas where their first daughter, Madison was born. They later moved back to Minnesota where their youngest daughter, Johanna was born. They then moved back to Baytown, Texas. After ten years of marriage, they divorced, but remained very good friends. Donny later moved back to Minnesota to care for his parents and began an 11 plus year career working for Home Depot. A dedicated and hardworking man, Donny earned five Platinum Milestone awards as well as the prestigious Diamond Award from Home Depot. The Diamond Award is the highest award given to a Home Depot employee; an award only four others have managed to achieve at the Monticello Home Depot store. Donny always considered his coworkers at Home Depot as his second family.
Donny was a loving father, son, brother and godfather who always enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed collecting Yellowstone National Park memorabilia, wood working, going to flea markets, grilling, fishing, scraping with father and going to Hawk’s Bar in Monticello. He will be remembered as a people person; for his extreme generosity, and wonderful sense of humor. He could talk to the wall and the wall would laugh at his jokes!
He is survived by his children, Madison Schwartz and Johanna (fiancé, Conor Kulig) of Baytown, TX; father, Jim of Monticello; siblings, Kenneth (Julie) of Clearwater, Michael of St. Cloud, and Tom (Krista) of Clearwater; former spouse and lifelong best friend, Wendy Walker; and godchildren, Laura Colvin and Benjamin Schwartz; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Vera.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
“I’m not saying… I’m just saying”