ReLou A. Schwichtenberg

ReLou A. Schwichtenberg, of Mankato, formerly of Elysian, died on Friday, June 17, 2022, from Alzheimer’s Disease at The Pillars of Mankato.

ReLou was born at her grandparent’s home and delivered by her paternal grandmother in Douglas County, to Eddie and Evelyn (Benson) Gylsen on May 22. She attended Oscar Lake Elementary School and graduated from Kensington High School with the class of 1956. ReLou was the oldest of seven sisters and had helped care for them as they were growing into young women. She as a youth enjoyed riding and caring for horses and was quite a good artist. She continued her education, attending Cosmetology School in Minneapolis. She was united in marriage to Harland Schwichtenberg on May 25, 1957 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Faribault. ReLou and Harland began their married lives in Minneapolis where Darla was born at Swedish Hospital on October 8,1958 and in 1962 they moved to Mankato, Minnesota. During their time in Mankato ReLou co-owned a beauty salon. They moved to Houston, Texas in 1971 for Harland’s new job. After a couple of years in Houston ReLou opened, owned and operated Hair Creations. She loved her job, although she never thought of it as work. She loved her customer’s as friends and family. She hated to retire. They once again returned to Bloomington, Minnesota in 1986 for Harland’s work. After Harland’s retirement they built their retirement home on a lot they had owned for years on German Lake in Waterville. After Harland’s passing ReLou moved to Elysian. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church on German Lake. The Red Hat Ladies and American Legion Auxiliary where she held posts as treasurer and several years as President.

ReLou is survived by her only child; daughter, Darla (J. David) Jenkins of Houston, TX; siblings: Ardelle Bowden of Battle Creek, MI, Marvyl (Butch) Sullivan of Andover, MN., Vernelle Gylsen of Beaverton, OR and Darnelle (Dave) Hurd of Kalamazoo, MI., along with nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harland (2016); two sisters Charmaine Grandchamp and Earline Brosch. The family would like to thank the Staff at The Pillars of Mankato for the exceptional loving care they gave to ReLou. They went up and beyond for her care. Thanks also goes out to Mankato Mayo Clinic Hospice, all of these people were exceptional. There are three Ladies in the Memory Care unit at the Pillars; Joanne Carpenter, Jan Ellis and Doris Peterson that befriended ReLou the minute she walked into the door and they made her time at the Pillars the happiest she had been in years. We would also like to thank our cousin and her husband, Anita and Dan Orr, for their support for ReLou after Harland’s death.

Private family graveside services will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.  

In Lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, Wounded Warrior Project, or the American Legion Auxiliary would be greatly appreciated.