Mary Louise "Louise" (Lucey) Swift

Mary Louise “Louise” Swift, 91, of Manchester, died Sunday, November 27, 2016, at Marietta’s Place in Manchester.  She was born on October 27, 1925, in Edgewood, the daughter of John and Mary Alice (Menge) Lucey.  Louise was a Lamont High School graduate.  She received her Normal Teaching Certificate from Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls.  Louise taught in rural schools near Rowley.

On October 24, 1950, Louise was united in marriage to John Q. Swift at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Edgewood.  Ten children were born to this union.  Together they resided in Manchester where John practiced Law and Louise was a homemaker.

Louise was a faithful member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and St. John’s Study Club.  She loved and enjoyed her family and was proud that her children all received post high school education.  Louise’s family will remember her as being very organized.  Louise also volunteered at St. Mary School and Hospice of Comfort.

Survivors left to cherish her memory include her ten children, Patrick (Jeanne) Swift of Cedar Rapids, Mary Ellen (Dr. Rick) Bratkiewicz of West Des Moines, Dr. Jim (Lori) Swift of Edina, Minnesota, Dan (Kathy) Swift of Manchester, Bill (Barb) Swift of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, Kathleen (Fred)Swift Brown of Huntington Beach, California, Mark Swift of Marengo, Mike Swift (special friend, Mary Hoffmann) of Cedar Rapids, Joe (Kristine) Swift of St. Louis, Missouri, and Dr. Maureen Swift (husband, Dr. Charlie Young) of Mercer Island, Washington; 25 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Swift on January 26, 2009; her sister, Rita Funk; a daughter-in-law, Jayne (Soppe) Swift; and an infant grandson.

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