Elmer Herman Schwers, 89, of Dubuque, died Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Luther Manor, Hillcrest in Dubuque surrounded by his children.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Monday, June 29, 2026 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Elmer will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Church of the Resurrection with Msgr Jim Miller as the Celebrant. Entombment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Key West. Full military honors will be rendered by American Legion Post #6 and the Iowa Army National Guard.

Elmer was born on February 11, 1937, in New Vienna, IA, the son of Herman and Marie (Foxen) Schwers. On October 28, 1961, he married Colleen Wolbers in Holy Ghost Catholic Church. She preceded him in death on October 15, 2010.

Elmer served in the United States Army from 1957 to 1958.

He owned and operated Elmer Schwers Construction Company and Schwers Distributing Company for Conklin Company Products.

Elmer was a member of the Church of the Resurrection and a longtime member of the Dubuque Fraternal Order of Eagles #568, where he and Colleen enjoyed dancing and socializing with friends. In his younger years, his hobbies were hunting and woodworking. He was an avid horseman who participated in trail rides and local parades. He and Colleen traveled the open road to visit their children and grandchildren which took them through many states over the years. Elmer will be remembered for competitive games of euchre, dominos, his quick wit, and knowing how to tell a good joke. Above all, he cherished the time he spent with his family. He made it a priority to attend events and cheer on his children in track, cross country, and motocross. Elmer was a proud father and grandfather. Whether his grandchildren were near or far, he attended their birthdays, school events, high school graduations, and other milestones.

Survivors include four children, Jackie (Tim) Duffy of Oceanside, CA, Sandy (John) Bagan of Seal Beach, CA, Jeff (Judy) Schwers of Dubuque, and Tonya (Corey) Schmidt of Naperville, IL; eight grandchildren, Mitchell (Olga) Duffy, Collin Duffy, Julia (Carlos) Villa, Colette Bagan, Kaitlyn Schwers, Brittany (Travis) Kuster, Tyler Schmidt, and Trevor Schmidt; four great-grandchildren, BrynLea, Relena, Calvin, and Leon Jeffrey; six siblings, Germaine Theisen, Eileen Hellman, Caroline Nachtman, Chuck (Donna) Schwers, Betty Schulze, and Jim Schwers; in-laws, Marie Schwers, Marie (Dave) Wiegand, Justin (Sharon) Wolbers, Sandy Wolbers, and Dan Muntz; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Colleen; daughter, Jennifer Schwers and her son, Devin; brothers, Lawrence and Merlin Schwers; sister, Lillian (Elmer) Greiner; in-laws, Merlin Theisen, Ambrose Hellman, John Nachtman, Hal Schulze, Barb Schwers, Pat (Yvonne) Wolbers, Albert Wolbers, Rose Ann Muntz, Loras Wolbers, and Sheila Wolbers Winch; and some nieces and nephews that have gone before him.

In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials may be given to the Elmer and Colleen Schwers Trailblazer Scholarship Fund in honor of Elmer. Checks can be made out to the Foundation of Dubuque Public Schools, attn: Trailblazer Scholarship. Checks can be mailed to Foundation of Dubuque Public Schools, 700 Locust St. Ste 195, Dubuque, IA 52001.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt Thank You to Luther Manor at Hillcrest and Hospice of Dubuque for all of the care they provided to Elmer.

A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences sent to the family by visiting Elmer’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.