Brian William Schweer was born April 19, 1950, in Mankato, Minnesota, to Donald and Berneice (Johnson) Schweer and baptized into the Lutheran faith at United Church in Mapleton, Minnesota. The family farmed in Mapleton and Waldorf before moving to Clarkfield in 1958 where his parents taught high school. He was confirmed and became a member at Augustana Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, where he remained an active member. He was a 1968 graduate of Clarkfield Public School and graduated in the 2nd graduating class of Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota, with a degree in Creative Writing & Literature and several minors in other areas of study. Brian was part of the first European "study abroad" program offered by SSU and he visited his mother's relatives in Sweden before returning to the U.S. Besides being a gifted writer, Brian had a natural talent for music. Although he wasn't good at reading music, he could play and sing a song just by hearing it once. He also had a beautiful whistle. He played trumpet, performed in many vocal and instrumental groups, and spent a lot of time practicing "garage music" which evolved into singing and playing bass guitar in the young bands of Oscar Street Stompers, Metropolitan Pig, and the Boss Tweads. His professional music career started at age 15 with the K-R Rangers and later his brother and close friends formed the band, Spurline (the name of which came to him in a dream), and spent the next 40 years playing dances in the Southwest Minnesota area. He loved the Caribbean, hated Minnesota winters, and had wonderful vacations when Spurline became "international performing artists" by playing cruise line and Mexican resort excursions with fans traveling along. Brian had an inquisitive mind, would tinker and take things apart to see how they operated and usually put them back together. He loved the process of making something from nothing, designed structures but preferred leaving the finer details to others who had more patience. He enjoyed finding bargains, collected old vehicles and other junk because of the possibilities and potential use. He was a visionary and intellect, had a genius IQ, a quick wit and a mind he often referred to as being full of "useless information". He was faster than a calculator, remembered names, dates, places, lyrics and titles. It was easier to check with him rather than consult a dictionary, English book, or encyclopedia. He preferred being in the background rather than forefront in bringing forth ideas or changes that would be beneficial to all. Fame and fortune never mattered to him. Everyone liked Brian; he was fun to be around. He was like a wise old soul and people were drawn to him. He was often a listening post to many, even those he didn't know would find their way to him to talk, and in return they received comfort, reassurance, a new perspective, guidance, or just a dose of humor. He rarely went anywhere without running into someone he already knew; otherwise new friends were made. During his years in radio advertising he was a boys basketball coach in Litchfield. He established the first satellite connection internet business, RuraLink, in Soputhwest Minnesota; was an election judge for many years; a confirmation mentor, parish council member and work group leader, and played bass in the Gospel Band. For many years he had his own contractor business specializing in remodeling. He, with Bette and their friends/family, completely remodeled their own 1864 house, doing all the work themselves (some of which is still unfinished). He worked at several lumber yards in Burnsville, Montevideo, Dawson, Minneota, and Marshall. Most recently he was a licensed building inspector for the cities of Marshall and Clarkfield, jobs he absolutely loved. Brian was a participant and leading sponsor in forming this area's The Compassionate Friends support group for parents grieving the loss of their child. Brian married Bette (Kaddatz) Lundin on June 16, 1979, in Montevideo, Minnesota. He was a godsend to her and her young son Michael. Three children were born into the marriage-Katherine, Benjamin, Isaac. He was a kind, loving father, grandfather and husband with a quiet disposition; discipline was usually a one on one talk. You seldom saw him angry but frustrations with inanimate objects, TV sports, or his own physical difficulties could sometimes be heard a block away! Brian's motto was to "treat other people like you would want to be treated; BE GOOD; don't do stupid things-if you do, learn from it and don't do it again; BE FAIR and do the right thing because it IS the right thing to do and you know what's right and wrong...just try to do it right the first time." "I have had a GREAT life, I have no regrets or complaints. Everything that really matters - I have. I've been able to do what I loved doing; I have great kids, love my wife, and have been blessed with really wonderful friends. What more is there!" Brian's presence, music and endearing personality will be greatly missed; he was a blessing to many and will be a legend to those he leaves behind. Brian will give the gift of sight through his cornea donation to The Minnesota Lions Eye Bank. Brian passed away at the U of M Fairview Hospital on Sunday, March 27, 2011, after a month long courageous battle with complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, at the age of 60 years, 11 months, 7days. Brian is survived by his wife, Bette; daughter, Katherine (and Shane) Weckwerth, granddaughters Jewelisa and Brenyce of Marshall; and sons Benjamin Schweer (fiancée Chansiem Ung) and Isaac Schweer, all of Fargo, North Dakota; brothers: Todd Schweer, Craig (Terri) Schweer; sister Teri McCausland; Mother/father in law George and Dorothy Kaddatz of Willmar; Bette's siblings: Donald (Jean) Kaddatz, Dr. Laurel (Jackie) Kaddatz, Coreen (Steve) Williams, Connie Larson, Georgine (Mike) Madden, Dr. Craig (Nancy) Kaddatz, Jay (Denise) Kaddatz and Patricia (Scott) Cozad; many nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his son, Mike Lundin; parents Don and Berneice; and niece Cally Jo Larson. In Loving Memory of Brian W. Schweer Visitation Saturday, April 2, 2011 ~ 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Prayer Service 7:30 p.m. ~ Clarkfield Lutheran Church Funeral Service Sunday, April 3, 2011 ~ 2:00 p.m. Clarkfield Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Officiating, Pastor Steve Weston Organist, Leslie Nestingen Congregational Hymns "How Great Thou Art!" (Processional) "On Eagles Wings" "Shall We Gather at the River" Special Music "All My Lovin'" (CD sung by Brian) "In the Garden" by Greg Johnson Bagpipes by Dennis Skrade (Recessional) Honorary Casket Bearers Bruce Koepp ~ Shane Gibson Darrell Hoogheem ~ Sherman Winson (friends) Greg Johnson (cousin) Spurline. . . Todd Schweer ~ Kenny Handeland Jr. Gene Miller ~ Tom Listul Casket Bearers Casey McCausland (Godson) Jay Kaddatz ~ Scott Cozad ~ Craig Kaddatz (brothers-in-law) Keith Rayman ~ Brian Devorak (friends) Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota