Paul Schiwal

Paul Joseph Schiwal, formerly of Lefor, passed away peacefully with Leona at his side on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at St. Luke’s Nursing Home.  Paul was born in Dickinson, ND, on February 2, 1932, to Joseph and Katherine (Huth) Schiwal and grew up on the family farm south of Gladstone.  He attended Garden School through the 8th grade and graduated from Lefor High School in 1949.  He attended Dickinson State Teachers College and taught rural school in Hettinger County and in the Garden School District for over two years.  On November 18, 1952, Paul married Leona Schneider at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Lefor.  Paul entered the U.S. Army in 1952 and served during the Korean Conflict.  He was assigned to Baker Company 9th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Division as a rifleman.  Paul went from being a Private, to a Sergeant, and finally to being his Platoon Squad Leader.  He was honorably discharged March 20, 1954. Paul and Leona were blessed with six children, and farmed and ranched on the Schneider homestead east of Lefor until 1978. Paul was a charter member of the Lefor Knights of Columbus Council #5477 and held many offices on the K of C Board.  Paul was elected Deputy Grand Knight in 1973 and became a 4th Degree Knight in 1981.  Their family was chosen North Dakota Catholic Family of the Year in 1984.  At St. Elizabeth’s Church, Paul was a lector, Eucharistic minister, rosary leader, choir member and served on the Parish Council.  Paul held offices in PTA, was a member of the School Board for 15 years, and coached the Lefor Grade School basketball team.  Paul drove the Lefor school bus for five years, while also working part-time for Carlson Homes and TMI in Dickinson.  In 1983, he became Postmaster at the Lefor Post Office until his retirement in 1995.  Paul was a member of the Richardton American Legion, Dickinson VFW Post 3444, K of C Council, K of C Club Board, and Gladstone Senior Citizens.  He enjoyed playing cards, reading, rodeos, driving around the country side, and all sports. Paul and Leona moved to Dickinson in February, 2003.


Paul is survived by his wife, Leona; five daughters, Debbie (Lynn) Cherney, Nancy Schiwal, Pam Schiwal, and Peggy Schiwal, all of Dickinson, and Patti (Ken) Goroski of Wibaux, MT; and three grandchildren, Shawn Cherney, Mandan; Kaitlyn Goroski, and Kylee Goroski, Wibaux, MT; sister, Joanne Todd of Omaha, NE; brother, Frank (Shirley) Schiwal, Layton, UT; sister-in-law Martha Schiwal, Dickinson, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Randy; brothers, infant Karl, Joseph, Anton, Carl, Mike and John; sisters, Katherine Huschka and Rose Marie Huschka; brothers-in-law Henry Schneider, Mike Krauter, Al Huschka,  Peter Huschka, and Gerald Todd; and sisters-in-law, Evelyn Krauter, Ann, Donna, Jean, and Georgia Schiwal.


A rosary and vigil service will be held Thursday, May 4, 2017 at Stevenson Funeral Home at 7:00 p.m. with visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Lefor, ND on Friday, May 5, 2017 with Father Biju Chitteth celebrating.  Military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post #3 Honor Guard.  Interment will be at St. Elizabeth’s Cemetery.


Thank you to all of dad’s caregivers for their compassion and kindness shown to him and his family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stark County Veterans Memorial Association, P.O. Box 929, Dickinson, ND 58602.


Burial Date: May 5, 2017
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Mass:  10:30 a.m., Friday, May 5, 2017, St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Lefor
Rosary and Vigil Service:  7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 4, 2017, Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson