Galen Leroy Schwaner was born on January 18, 1942, in Alliance, Nebraska to Alice Newkirk and LeRoy Deden and later adopted by Robert Schwaner in Scottsbluff, Nebraska in 1951. Galen went to his eternal home on Thursday, December 11, 2025, in Loveland, Colorado. Even though his passing has left an enormous void in the hearts of his family and friends, we remember him for the profound impact he had on the lives of those who knew him and for his unwavering faith in God.
Galen attended Scottsbluff High School where he was a gifted athlete. He was inducted into the Scottsbluff H.S. Hall of Fame for football, basketball, and track in October 2024 and this was an incredibly proud moment for him. He married Jane Brungardt in August of 1963 and to this union, four children were born. Galen attended and played basketball at Baylor University and received his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees from Pacific University. He practiced optometry and was past president of the Wyoming Optometric Association and the Torrington, Wyoming Rotary Club. Galen was an active member of the Lutheran churches in Torrington, Wyoming; Omaha, Nebraska; and, most recently, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Galen's favorite pastimes were bridge and playing golf. He was fortunate (and good enough!) to make two holes-in-one at age 81. Galen and Jane loved to travel and made numerous trips to Germany, Alaska, Mexico, and cruised the Panama Canal.
Galen was preceded in death by his mother, father, and biological father. He is survived by his wife (Jane); his four children, Roxane (John Gamlin), Robert (Debra Schwaner), Rodney (Tanya Schwaner), and Renee Babb; his seven grandchildren; his first great-grandchild; his brother Bill Schwaner (Mary); his sister Joyce Harner (Dick) and his sister-in-law Judy Morales (Manuel)
A memorial service in celebration of Galen's life will be on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 10:30 am at Redeemer Lutheran Church. A light luncheon will follow in the Fellowship Hall. If you are unable to attend the service in person, we invite you to watch it by going directly to
https://live.redeemerconnect.com/
Memorial contributions can be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church (
https://onrealm.org/Redeemer/-/form/give/GalenSchwaner
) in support of their general ministry in memory of Galen.