Delroy Herman Schwisow, long time member of the Ritzville community and Emmanuel Lutheran church passed away on March 9, 2026 with family by his side. Del, as friends and family called him, was born to Milton and Hattie (Smith) Schwisow on December 19, 1938 in Spokane WA.

Del, along with his sibling Karen (Schwisow) Miles were raised on their family wheat farm.

In his upbringing, he garnered an early interest in music that would prove to last his lifetime. He learned to play the piano and played saxophone while in the high school band. He was an active member of FFA and also played on the high school tennis team. He graduated from Ritzville High School in 1957, and then completed his education at WSU with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, graduating in 1961.

He met Carol Ann Powell while at WSU, and the two were married on July 1, 1962. Del’s initial job out of college was with the USDA Soil Conservation Service in Pasco and Okanogan Wa, before returning to the Schwisow family farm in 1966. He also served in the Air National Guard in those first 7 years following college.

In addition to farming, Del kept busy with a number of extracurricular activities in the community. He was a lifetime member of the Ritzville High School Alumni Association, the WSU Alumni Association and the Sigma Chi Fraternity. As a long time supporter of WSU, he attended Cougar football games frequently and contributed significantly to the recent project to remodel the Sigma Chi Fraternity on campus.

He was a long-time member of the Ritzville Warehouse Board of Directors and past Treasurer of the Washington State Wheat Growers Association. At different times he also served as the President of the Washington State Wheat Growers, the Bronco Boosters and the Ritzville High School Alumni Association.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Ritzville Emmanuel Lutheran Church and was a life-long member. He started his tenure as the church choir director in September 1972 and continued in this role until Covid in 2020 brought the 48 year streak to an end. He continued to play piano for Sunday church services over the last 6 years. Beyond the church he shared his music in other ways, playing for weddings, performing in community ensembles and participating in other community musical activities in Spokane and the surrounding areas.

Del & Carol were married for 54 years before Carol passed away in December 2016. During their marriage, the couple had three sons, Scott, Craig and Todd and often enjoyed summer trips to Priest Lake where they would water ski. Later in life, Carol and Del enjoyed trips to Europe and to see their grandsons in either Seattle, Atlanta or Phoenix. They would often hit an art gallery or art festival along the way to collect a treasure for the home. When the grandsons would visit the farm, the weekends were filled with hanging out together, riding the combines or tractors with Grandpa or riding the 4-wheelers and exploring the many barns for treasures to take home. Later in life, Del would often travel to Seattle for “Camp Grandpa”. This past Thanksgiving, we were grateful to have the entire family together in Seattle for what would be our last time to explore with grandpa..

We will always remember our Dad by his quiet disposition, generosity and sweet smile

Del is survived by his three sons and their families, Scott and Eileen (Hoxit), Spencer and Chase Schwisow of Kirkland; Craig and MaryEllen (Resendez), Sterling and Pearson Schwisow of Chandler Arizona, and Todd and Justine (Hara), Dillon and Zachary Schwisow of Seattle; sister Karen Miles of O'Fallon, Illinois, and sister-in-law Judy (Ken) Free of Auburn, WA.

We give thanks to loving family and relatives, wonderful friends, and loyal college and high school classmates who visited, sent cards, and called often.

Viewing will be at Danekas Funeral Home in Ritzville on Friday March 20 from 12 Noon to 5:00 PM and Saturday March. 21 from 8:00 Am to 10:00 AM. Interment will be held at the Lutheran Cemetery in Ritzville at 11:00 am on Saturday March 21st. A Memorial Service will begin at 1:00 pm at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Ritzville, followed by a reception in the church social room.

Memorials may be made to Emanuel Lutheran Scholarship Fund.