Kay Lynn Swaim Wilson

Kay Lynn Swaim Wilson, of West Des Moines, Iowa, passed away peacefully at Kavanagh House on March 9, 2023. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and teacher. Kay made our world a better place through her warm, welcoming personality, her frequent, infectious smile, and her kind, nurturing influence. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by those who knew her.

Kay was born October 18, 1947 in Ottumwa, Iowa to Basil and Betty Swaim. She spent her youth in Drakesville, Iowa, where she attended elementary school. She attended high school in Bloomfield, Iowa and graduated from Davis County High School in 1965. Kay pursued higher education at Northeast Missouri State College for two years, then at The University of Iowa, where she received her B.A. degree in elementary education in 1969.

Kay’s teaching career spanned over four decades. It included teaching third grade at Highland Community Schools in Riverside, Iowa and fourth grade at Grant School in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Although she retired from full-time teaching in 2004, she continued to substitute teach for several years as well as teach children English as their second language. Kay was an exceptional educator, sincerely caring for her students and motivating them to see and achieve their full potential. She made such a lasting impression that many of her former students invited her to their high school graduation parties and weddings.

In high school, Kay met Lonny Wilson, who quickly fell in love with her. He courted her for several years and they married in 1968. They had two daughters, Sarah and Laura, who eventually married and gave them three grandchildren. Kay loved her family and spending time together. She valued her family so much that she convinced Lonny to move to West Des Moines, where they would be able to get together more often and to cheer on their grandchildren at countless games and activities.

Kay was a voracious reader and an avid walker. She enjoyed playing games, solving puzzles, volunteering, spending time with friends, and rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes. She and Lonny also enjoyed the adventure of travel, and they did a lot of it. During their 54+ years of marriage, they visited sites in all 50 states and in many countries around the world.

Kay is survived by her husband, Lonny Wilson; daughters Sarah (Jeff) Rader of Clive, and Laura (Brandon) Fleener of Waukee; grandchildren, Anna Rader, Quinn Fleener, and Kieran Fleener; brothers, Kent (Marlene) Swaim, Kurt (Julie) Swaim, and Kim (Linda) Swaim and their families; and brother-in-law, Rick Wilson.

Following her wishes, Kay’s body has been donated to the Carver College of Medicine at The University of Iowa. A memorial service for her will be held Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Walnut Hills United Methodist Church (WHUMC) and will be streamed online at Facebook or YouTube.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the endowed Kay Swaim Wilson Memorial Fund at WHUMC where it will be used to support children’s programs.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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