Bret Schwarz

Bret Austin Schwarz, 58, of Topeka, Kansas, died Wednesday, January 13, 2022, at his home. Bret was born on August 27, 1963, in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Fred and Carole (Teske) Schwarz. He spent his childhood years in Onaga, Kansas where he attended grade school and graduated in 1981 from Onaga High School. Bret played a key role on the OHS football and basketball teams. In 1979, while in high school, Bret placed 3rd in the National Junior Olympic powerlifting championships. Bret attended Independence Community College and then Washburn University and played college football at both schools. Bret was a member of the “Impossible Dream Team” at Washburn that won a CSIC football championship in 1983. He graduated from Washburn with a bachelor’s degree in Communications in 1986. Bret worked several years as a sales agent and financial advisor for Ozark National Life Insurance Company eventually becoming a District Manager. He then moved to Beatrice, Nebraska and worked for Spady-Runcie Chevrolet in the sales and finance departments. He then moved to Aurora, Nebraska and became a part owner in Advantage Chevrolet and worked in sales, finance, and management. In 2013 Bret returned to Kansas and began working in property and casualty insurance sales with Schwarz insurance group in Silver Lake, Kansas. Bret loved all sports and took them very seriously. He was active in local golf, volleyball, softball, and bowling leagues in Beatrice, Nebraska and loved to play pick-up basketball games in Crete and Dorchester. He also enjoyed playing shuffleboard and enjoyed trivia night at Tailgaters Sports Pub. Bret was very active in the lives of his children and grandchildren, and their activities. He loved attending their sporting events, Boy Scouts meetings, concerts, hosting cookouts, and spending quality time with them. He was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Topeka. Bret married Judy Lynne Jones in Beatrice in 1989. They were later divorced. Judy passed away in July of 2010. Bret is survived by his parents; Fred and Carole Schwarz, Topeka; his children; Ashley Mullock (Michael), Grant City, Missouri, Derrick Schwarz, Lawrence, Ehren Schwarz, Lawrence, Caleb Schwarz, Manhattan, and Dawson Schwarz, Manhattan; three grandchildren, Jace, Ian and Declan Mullock; and his sister, Carla Shutak (John), Indian Trail, North Carolina; his niece, Jocelyn Shutak and nephew, Ivan Shutak. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, January 20, 2022, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Duluth, Kansas. Reverend Rick Twenhafel will be officiating. Burial will follow at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. They suggest memorial contributions to Fellowship of Christian Athletes or St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, and those may be sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com.