Jim Schwerdt

Jim D. Schwerdt, passed on Jan. 14, 2017 at University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis surrounded by his family. He died from a tear that formed in his aorta.

Jim was born in Duluth on Nov. 22, 1953. He spent most of his life enjoying the natural beauty of the area. When he was young he became a Life Scout and an Eagle Scout. Jim continued hunting, fishing and boating throughout his life.

Jim graduated from East High School in 1972 and four days after graduation became a member of the Merchant Marine. He crewed the ore boat, the D.M. Clemson for a season. After enduring some November weather on Lake Superior, Jim decided to further his education. He chose the Dunwoody Industrial Institute. He enrolled in the building estimating program because the carpentry program was already filled. That career choice was a great one. It allowed Jim to blend his love of details and building with his people skills. He worked for Clyde Iron and then A.W. Hedenberg Company. He was estimator and project manager for the Lake Superior Plaza building and First Bank Place as well as remodeling the Kitchi Gammi Club. In 1985, Jim decided to become a business owner and purchased the Overhead Door Company of Duluth. Over the years he added Weather Tite Systems, Asphalt of Duluth, and partnered in Overhead Door of the Northland. He enjoyed being a member of the Duluth Rotary Club while he was a businessman. During his entire career in construction, Jim was involved with the Duluth Builders Exchange, first as a member, board member, president and finally as executive director. He was very proud of getting the Builders Exchange plans online. He loved being "the librarian" at the Exchange. Jim would have kept working there forever.

Jim and Nancy met at their ten year high school reunion and began dating in fall and married before Christmas in a double ceremony with Kay Nierengarten and Mark Shubert. The foursome celebrated their 34th anniversary this year. The "Shubingartens" were always part of the Schwerdt good times and tough times.

Even though Jim was hardworking, he always made time for his family. His fatherly enthusiasm for his sons and their friends was constant. Jim was always helpful and interested whether it was talking politics, hunting birds, drawing up plans or sanding a pinewood derby car, assisting with boy scouts, driving the boat for wakeboarding, attending cross country ski races, and when Brenda came along watching plays and dance recitals. Seeing the boys develop into fine young men and successfully progress through life gave him great pleasure.

Jim and his namesake James had a whole other level of connection. Jim would rest up to be ready for Tuesdays with James. Watching James pictures and videos brought him great joy at any hour of the day.

Jim loved cars, boats, motorcycles and campers. He has had many cars through the years Triumph TR6, Jaguar XJ and Volvo 1600 and as a testament of love for his family he drove a minivan for several years. A few years ago, he traveled to New York to purchase a 1976 Vixen motorhome which he brought back to mint condition. He proudly bought Nancy a Volkswagon convertible for her 50th birthday. Rebuilding unusual cars was going to be his retirement hobby.

Jim was active most of his life. During his high school years, Jim played hockey at Portman, broomball, downhill skied, and practiced judo. As an adult, Jim loved mountain biking, racquetball, hunting, fishing, golfing, sailing, scuba diving, downhill skiing, telemark skiing and later on, snowboarding. Nothing made Jim happier than dancing down a ski slope on a sunny day. He made many trips to Big Sky, Bridger Bowl and Big Mountain with friends and family. Skiing at Whistler Blackcomb in Vancouver, Canada was the family trip he would reflect upon most often.

Jim's father, Donald H. Schwerdt, died when Jim was 26. At that time, he took on the commitment of looking after his mother's wellbeing. They had a wonderful relationship and they visited almost daily. His mother died this past September.

Thirteen years ago Jim's life was dramatically altered by a surgery that left him with debilitating chronic pain. He retired early from the job he loved, gave up biking, skiing and most other physical activities, and struggled continuously with pain and side effects of pain management. He persevered though; He also kept his kind, gentle, and patient way of interacting with everyone. He always did whatever he could. He gracefully became the gardener and handyman at Pike Lake. Spending every Tuesday with his new grandson was the happiest any had seen him.

Jim's family would like to acknowledge Dr. Hal Heyer's help in giving Jim the best life possible. He started as his doctor and became a friend.

Jim is survived by his wife, Nancy (Nierengarten) Schwerdt; sons, Tyler (Brenda) Schwerdt and Eric Schwerdt; grandson, James Tyler Schwerdt; brother, Allen Schwerdt; and dog, Lotus.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE: 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 with sharing at 4 p.m. in the Kitchi Gammi Club, 831 E Superior St., Duluth.

If you have a Jim story you would like to have included for all guests to read, please send it to Nancy at jim.schwerdt.stories@gmail.com . The stories will posted and archived for the family's permanent enjoyment. There simply wasn't enough time with Jim. He didn't get a chance to tell all his stories.