Burt

As I remember my uncle, I find myself recalling a man who lived unabashedly. He was a "slide head-first" kind of guy. How do I remember this man?

Whenever the Sweger boys all gather back in Beloit, one thing MUST happen. Poker. Darrell loved his poker and loved ridiculous poker games- there was always a new one with an assortment of wild cards and a seemingly endless description of the rules. In my mind, "screw your neighbor" will always be Burt's game. When it was Darrell's deal, you knew that he'd be splitting the pot with some terribly low hand that he had concocted.

I remember when the Sweger family all lived in Beloit. We would file into Central Christian Church for Sunday morning worship... Then, proceed to file into either Ponderosa or Country Kitchen. To be honest, it didn't really matter the buffet we were at as long as it was All-You-Can-Eat. (That would be why we love Friday Fish Fry at Benedetti's as well). What does this have to do with Darrell? I remember gauging my growth into manhood by counting emptied buffet plates against the stacks of my uncle's.

Uncle Burt was a baseball fan. He LOVED the game. Through all of the tough times that baseball has endured, Darrell endured them as well. It makes perfect sense that Darrell would be able to exemplify longsuffering with the sport of baseball. After all, his favorite teams was the Cubs. (My spirit just groaned from within having to type that team's name out even. Ugh.) I remember when D.W.S. C.P.A. sponsored it softball team and Darrell busted out the new team jerseys... Cub's jerseys. (Ugh. I continue to shudder at the thought.) I still have one of those jerseys tucked away in my dresser drawer. (It's a bottom drawer... way in the back... )

Throughout high school I heard stories of the young men who were rebel-rousers in the earliest years of Turner High's existence.
Seldom was I surprised to hear Darrell's name associated with pranks, hijinx, and generally good-natured trouble making. That's why it seems almost poetic that this fun-loving trickster would pass from earth to heaven on April Fool's Day.

He loved his boys like you wouldn't believe. He lived life all-out. Nobody who knew him could avoid describing him as a risk-taker.

I could share more and more memories, but I haven't the time nor the space to record them all. What matters most in the midst of all my foggy memories is that Darrell Sweger was a beloved man. Darrell was loved by God and by so many others. My understanding is that, even in the late hours of his life, he affirmed a belief that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Son of the Living God- He is Burt's Lord and Saviour. Amen! And with that in mind,, I can find joy in the midst of grief knowing that Darrell is safe and warm in the arms of the father. No matter what Huntington's stole from him, Christ has repaid it all a multitude of times over. His body no longer trembles involuntarily, his mind is sound, and his spirit is made whole. He is redeemed and restored. And now he is experiencing Peace face-to-face.

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Darrell Warren Sweger, 51, of Beloit, WI, died Tuesday, April 1, 2008 in Premier Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing.

He was born August 24, 1956 in Beloit, WI, the son of Clarence and Beverly Jacobson Sweger. Darrell was a 1974 graduate of F.J. Turner High School and a 1978 graduate of UW Whitewater. He also received his C.P.A. in 1978.

Darrell was a member of Central Christian Church, Beloit, WI. Darrell was employed with Houghton Taplic CPA Firm in Madison, WI and later with Behr Associates in Milwaukee, WI. He began Sweger CPA’s in Beloit, WI in 1985. Darrell founded DA Development in 1986 with Andy and Lori Rhead. He built the Prairie Avenue Professional Building in 1986. In 1988-89, DA Development purchased and renovated the Chester Building in downtown Beloit and in1989 were awarded Business of the Year for that restoration. In 1990 DA Development built the Milton strip mall in Milton, WI. Darrell was very, very proud of the achievements and contributions he made to downtown Beloit. Darrell was listed in the Who’s Who of college students and also in Who’s Who of CPA’s. He sponsored the Downtown Ragatta and several softball teams over the years. Darrell received several Chamber of Commerce awards.

Darrell was a generous, much loved and loving son, brother, friend and wonderful father. He adored his sons and they were his pride and joy. Darrell coached “his boys” all through Powers Gold Cub ball and Little League. He was the “coach in the stands” for all Derek, Adam and Brett’s high school, Jr. Legion and Legion baseball games and Adam’s Club Baseball at UW-Whitewater.

There are not words to express how much Darrell will be missed by Derek and Melissa, Adam, Brett and Kathy. We Love You. Survivors include his three sons, Derek (Melissa) Sweger of Fort Atkinson, WI, Adam Sweger of Tempe, AZ and Brett Sweger of Beloit, WI; mother of his three beloved sons and friend, Kathleen Sweger; father, Clarence (Eileen) Sweger; brothers, Russell (Lavonne) Sweger of Beloit, WI, Bruce (Catherine) Sweger of Fort Wayne, IN and Wade (Debra) Sweger of Beloit, WI; mother-in-law, Joan Mascharka; host of much loved nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; second family, Karen Navarro, Lori Wing, Lisa and Paul Guinea, Nadine Mascharka, and best friend, Mark (Angela) Mascharka. He was predeceased by his mother, Beverly, infant sister, Elizabeth Sweger and father-in-law, David Mascharka.