Carl Schwanebeck

August 29, 1928 - August 13, 2012

Carl Fredrick Schwanebeck, age 83, passed away at St. MaryÂ?s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota on Wednesday evening August 8, 2012. Carl was born August 29, 1928 in Fontanelle, Iowa to Edward Ernest and Anna (Watkins) Schwanebeck. He was the second youngest of 13 brothers and sisters. His father passed away when he was seven. Carl started in the theatre business in his youth in Fontanelle. After graduation from Fontanelle High School, Class of 1946, Carl served in the United States Navy from 1946 to 1948 were he was stationed in California. After his service Carl worked at the Grand Theatre in Perry, Iowa where he met Ruth Palmer. Carl and Ruth were married two years later on September 10, 1950. They lived in Perry and had three boys, Curt, Cris, and Cort. The Schwanebeck family left Perry in 1957 and moved to Anamosa, Iowa. In 1960 Carl and family moved to Knoxville to manage the Grand and Marion Theatres, and Frontier Drive In Theatre. One of the first major tasks for Carl was to relocate the drive in theatre that was west of town to north of town because of the Red Rock Dam Project. As if Carl wasnÂ?t busy enough with the two theatres two daughters were added to the Schwanebeck household, Caprice and Colette. Carl was also active and a former president of the National Association of Theatre Owners. As with most businesses things change, the end of an era, the closing of the Hi Vue Drive In, but soon after that movies on video entered the picture. Carl was the first to put video tape rentals in a theatre lobby. The video business soon consumed CarlÂ?s time and after the growth in video Carl moved the video business out of the theatre to other buildings in Knoxville. In 1995 he sold the theatre and soon after left the video business to retire. Carl is survived by his wife of 62 years Ruth Schwanebeck of Knoxville; their children Curt Schwanenbeck and his wife Karen of Knoxville, Cris Schwanebeck and his wife Patty of Knoxville, Cort Schwanebeck and Jim Wickesberg of St. Helena, CA, Caprice Daugherty and husband Kevin of Knoxville, and Colette McRoberts of Knoxville; 17 grandchildren: Jeremy and wife Misha Schwanenbeck, Jennifer and Jason Klootwyk, Joseph and Allison Schwanebeck, Sarah Schwanebeck, Kathleen Schwanebeck, Elizabeth Schwanebeck, Aubrey Schwanebeck, Cris Patrick Schwanebeck, Madisen Daugherty, Chambray Daugherty, Ashton Daugherty, Connor McRoberts, Delaney McRoberts, and Hallie McRoberts; and six great grandchildren: Kerigan Schwanebeck, Clay Schwanebeck, Jacob Klootwyk, Jared Klootwyk, Justin Klootwyk, and Jaden Klootwyk. Carl is also survived by two sisters Myrtle Richards and husband Vern of Bridgewater and Frances McClure and husband Russell of Stuart. He is preceded by his parents; seven sisters and three brothers. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday August 14th, at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Knoxville, with Pastor Joel Picard officiating. Visitation will be held from 2 to 7:00 p.m., Monday August 13th, at the Trinity Lutheran Church. CarlÂ?s family will be present from 4 to 7:00 p.m., Monday. A memorial has been established to the Steeple Cross Fund of the Trinity Lutheran Church. Condolences may be sent to www.winfieldfh.com. Winfield Funeral Home of Knoxville is handling arrangements.