Dave and Gwen Schield
1931 and 1938-2022
On Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, God called two beautiful souls to heaven 40 minutes apart at Aurora Medical Center in Two Rivers. Dave and Gwen were rarely apart in life here on earth, and they transitioned together to their eternal life in Heaven.
Due to the current circumstances a private family funeral and burial will take place, but a public “Celebration of Life” will be held at a later date. Memorials in their names can be given to their current church, Our Saviors Evangelical Lutheran Church in Two Rivers, their previous church, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Medford, or to Colorado Christian Services Adoption Agency (christianservices.org).
A former Medford resident, Gwendolyn Lee Schield (age 83), was born on July 10, 1938, in Kansas City, Mo. She was adopted by Paul and Irmgard Thiemicke when she was seven years old along with her sister Betty and made the move to Medford. Gwen was a graduate of Medford Area Senior High School, Class of 1956. Gwen performed in the church choir for four years, waited on tables at the VFW and was a childcare giver when she met her future husband, David Schield. Her hobbies included curling (five years), swimming (she loved swimming and would swim for endless hours), walking and watching Christian TV broadcasts on Sundays. She loved spending time with her family, giving and receiving cards and visiting with longtime friends over coffee and treats. If there was a party to attend, she would always make her famous pistachio salad. Gwen had a beautiful voice and loved to sing songs like Zip-ADee- Doo-Dah (Bluebird on My Shoulder), and Tip Toe Through the Tulips to her adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gwen was such a gentle, caring, and loving person and everyone who knew her loved her. She was passionate about the color red and loved anything she could find in that vibrant color.
Also a former Medford resident, David John Schield (age 90) was born on Feb. 18, 1931, in Medford to Oscar and Lydia Schield. He had two sisters, Mary (who passed away as a child), and Josephine (who passed away recently). He also had three brothers, Edward Lee (married to Clarice), Oscar Craig (who also passed away recently and was married to Sharon), and Merrill (married to Pauline). Dave was a graduate of Medford Area Senior High School Class of 1949. After graduation, he attended college at UWMadison specializing in architectural design which would serve him well in his future career. He was drafted into the Army and stationed in Germany in the Engineer Aviation Brigade under Colonel Ballard during the Korean War. He received an honorable discharge after serving four years.
Dave then joined his brother Lee who had started a business in window and door manufacturing which has become well-known as Weather Shield Manufacturing, Inc. As a co-owner and engineer, Dave made meaningful contributions to product design and manufacturing as the organization grew from a start up in the 1950’s, to a highly successful company decades later. He will hold a special place in Weather Shield’s history and the hearts of the employees who knew and worked for him. He retired from the company in 1987 after spending his entire career there. As a child, and into his adult life, Dave loved to fish, hunt, play sports and fly airplanes. Aviation became a passion for him and he soloed at the age of 16. He owned several airplanes in his lifetime and never tired of talking aviation. Dave also enjoyed going to Canada, the Arctic Circle and Alaska with his sons, grandson, son-in-law, and friends for some incredible fishing trips. He also went on several hunting trips to Colorado with his brother, sons, nephews, and friends. He was a caring, loving man with a positive attitude no matter what the circumstances. His wit, even in his elderly years, kept us all laughing and smiling.
Dave and Gwen were married on Aug. 25, 1956. Mom was a trooper because they went to Canada fishing for their honeymoon. They had three children, Jeffrey, Marty, and Melany (two boys and one girl to spoil, as dad put it). After retirement Dave and Gwen traveled the world and visited many notable places including the Holy Land, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Africa, Brazil, Hong Kong, China and Canada. They spent many summers at their cabin in Hayward. A few years after retirement, Dave and Gwen moved to Two Rivers to be near their daughter Melany Kumbalek. Dave always said he moved closer to Melany because she was a much better cook than Jeff or Marty. They would spend their winters in North Fort Myers, Fla. for the next 30 years.
They both loved to watch their grandchildren at dance performances, swimming meets, football games, basketball games and band concerts. In their later years, Melany set up home health care, enabling them to stay in their own home with dedicated caregivers who became friends as well. They had many wonderful caregivers, but Mary, Rosemary and Tina went above and beyond the call of duty to provide excellent care for them. Melany sacrificed much of her time and efforts to help Dave and Gwen truly enjoy their golden years. They were still able to go out for rides and look at the elk on the elk farm, watch a family of eagles in their nest, indulge in plenty of ice cream and attend as many family events as possible. They were married for 65 years here on earth and now they’ll spend eternity together in Heaven. It’s not good-bye Mom and Dad, but rather we’ll see you later!
Survivors include their children, Jeffrey (Linda) Schield, Marty (Renee Blair) Schield, and Melany (Kevin) Kumbalek; grandchildren, Amanda Schield, Emily Schield, Hannah (Anthony) Beaupre, Morgan Schield, Brittany (Chris) Schultz, Zachary (Rachel) Kumbalek and Scott (Michelle) Rowney; and greatgrandchildren, Taylor Schultz, Jameson Schultz, Hunter Kumbalek, Layla Kumbalek, Parker Kumbalek, Kane Rowney and Bryson Rowney.
Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.
Paid Obituary 115741
