Schwen doesn't seem very retired
EVERYDAY PEOPLE
BAXTER - The walls at Mid-American Energy in Baxter tell a story, the life story of Maurice Schwen.
Head mounts of wildlife, framed photos of Navy fighter jets and countless awards hang on the walls throughout the geo-thermal energy business Schwen started in 1979.
At 84, Schwen is semi-retired, but busier than ever. One look around his office confirms this man has always been a workhorse, and an accomplished one at that.
"I don't feel like 84, I feel like I'm 19," Schwen said.
Maurice Schwen started Mid-American Energy in Baxter in 1979. His office walls showcase his many awards and interests, including tree farming and hunting. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls» Purchase reprints of this photo.
Since he was a child Schwen has loved airplanes. He used to make model airplanes and even entered them in contests. His hobby turned into an occupation when he became a pilot in World War II, specializing in dive bomb training.
Schwen has many war stories, but after speaking with him for a short time it's clear his passion is business. Shortly after returning from the war, Schwen took over his father's business, Schwen Ice Cream and Candy Co. in Blue Earth. At age 22, Schwen managed the booming ice cream business.
Maurice Schwen
Age: 84.
Family: Married to Marvel Schwen for 61 years. They have three children, 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Hobby: Tree farming. Maurice owns 126 acres of land bordering Pillsbury State Forest. Through the years he's planted more than 35,000 trees there.
What brought him to the lakes area?: Maurice used to spend summers on Gull Lake at a home his parents bought for $800, which included 100-feet of lakeshore.
Where he learned how to be successful at business?: The Bible.
In 1917, he said, his father invented chocolate-covered ice cream and sold the rights to the product to Russell Stover in 1921 for $13,000.
He said Schwen's Ice Cream Co. also invented mint and chocolate chip ice cream.
Schwen remembers teaching people at restaurants and ice cream parlors to make sundaes, malts and the art of scooping ice cream.
The company was sold in 1974.
Schwen then did consulting work for Hubbard Milling Co. where he spent much of his time on the road. While driving he had trouble tuning in to Christian radio stations, so he'd bring tapes of Christian music along on his frequent road trips.
His desire to hear Christian music in his hometown of Blue Earth led him to start a radio station, KJLY, 104.5 FM. Kinship Christian Radio now has four radio stations that can be heard in Southern Minnesota and Iowa. Schwen is still president of the radio stations' board of directors.
Schwen started Mid-American Energy in Baxter in 1979 after his youngest son got married and moved to the Brainerd area. When customers come in to the business with geo-thermal heating and cooling questions, Schwen has been known to quote the Bible and share advice he's learned from his vast experiences through the last 84 years.
HEIDI LAKE may be reached at heidi.lake@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5879.