Dale Swift
October 16, 2010
Dale Swift, 72, passed away Saturday October 16, 2010, at his home in West Des Moines from esophageal cancer. He was born September 29, 1938, in Des Moines to Agnes and Ora Swift.
Dale graduated from East High School in 1957 and then served in the United States Marines. He owned and operated Swift Auto Salvage in Des Moines. His favorite place to be was the Lake of the Ozarks. Dale was a good friend to all who knew him, extremely generous, and especially loved being with his grandchildren and family.
Dale is survived by his loving wife, Gretchen; his son, Michael (Tracy), granddaughter, Mallory (Troy) Henke and great-granddaughter, Kalli; grandson, Samuel; his daughter, Susan (Jim) Fidler and grandchildren, Grant, Caroline and Isabelle; his daughter, Wendi (Rob) Roush and grandchildren, Callie, Jack and Olivia; his son, Steven (Kelly) and grandchildren, Benjamin and Nicholas; his dog, Lilly; aunt and uncle, Byron and Gloria Brockway; aunt, Betty Lawler; and many family and friends.
The family would like to thank Mercy Cancer Center, with a special thank you to Dr. Matt Hill, Dr. Jeffrey Stahl, and Dr. Phillip Colletier and the nurses on 8 South.
Friends may visit with family from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 20, 2010, at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow at the church. Burial will take place at Resthaven Cemetery. Casual dress is requested.
The family requests NO flowers. Instead, memorial contributions may be made to the Dale Swift Philanthropic Fund, a fund set up to provide financial assistance to cancer patients and families in need.
Online condolences to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Jo Kelloway Littleton
10/21/2010
Dale had a great sense of humor and was such a nice guy. He would joke with me even after I broke his toilet on his houseboat and after I walked through Michael's screen door. It's a good thing I was unable to make it to the funeral.....I'd be afraid of breaking his casket. My condolescences to his entire family on losing a very nice man.
June Reed
10/21/2010
Years pass and our families still intermingle with various happenings along life's pathway.
Please know that the family of Roger H. Reed send our condolences to each of you - and that we care.
Thanks especially to Mike for calling me and making me aware of his father's passing. We've shared so much - sorry that death must be included, but that is also a party of life.
Randy & Fran Reitman
10/21/2010
We send or prayers for your family in this most difficult time. My Dale rest in peace with the Lord.
Jeannie Watson Blake
10/21/2010
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time.
The Watson Family
Doug Righi
10/21/2010
I have nothing but good memories of a big man, with a bigger personality, and positive outlook on life.
My families prayers are with you.
Doug Righi
Chuck Welker
10/21/2010
To The Swift Family:
I wish to extend my personal condolences to each of you on your loss of Dale. He will truely be missed by all, including his family and his friends. All of us East High School class-mates appreciated him and his great spirit over the years.
JudiBrandow-Albaugh-Burch
10/20/2010
Thinking of you. May the Lord see you through this difficult time with His covering you with strength and Love, and He will help you realize that your memories are a precious source of healings and comfort in the days ahead.
With Deepest Sympathy for you and your family,
Love and Hugs, Judi
Roger Dorr
10/20/2010
I am so sorry to hear about Dale. He was a good friend and will be missed by all. I want to thank you and Dale for all the info you gave us on cancer for my daughter, Rhonda,. She finally got in to the Mayo-clinic and they removed the tumor from her brain which John Stoddard cancer center said it could not be removed. Jim said he told Dale this before he came home from the hospital. Tommorow, (21st) she goes back to Mayo for the report. Well anyway, if there is anything I can do for the Swift family, let me know. I wanted to talk to you at visitation,but wasnt quite sure where you was. God bless your family. Roger Dorr
TOM AND JANNEAN ELVERUM
10/20/2010
Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family Mike, we are so very sorry. And even more sorry that Tom will not be able to get away for the services as he is pretty over whelmed with end of the season work load.
Were going to send flowers but seen that you would rather have a donation to your cause and we are delighted to help this as well.
Please knw wyour father will be with you always, and he would want you to live as full a life as he did. Try not to let the numb feeling get you down to long, we did not know him, but Tom seems to think he had a good spirit which he gave to you, and he would not want you to be sad.
Our deepest Condolences,
With Love Tom and Jannean Elverum
Galen Howsare
10/20/2010
Mike, Tracy, Mallory, Sam, and Troy,
While I am not able to be with you in person today, know that my thoughts and prayers are with you today. May the memories you have of Dale be an inspiration and comfort to you in the days ahead. May the peace of God be with you.
Galen
DeWayne & Carole Holmes
10/20/2010
Gretchen and Family
Our paths crossed with Dale's years ago as a result of owning
a "junkyard" and doing business. If we didn't have something
we'd call "Swift" and whether he could help or not, he always
asked about our well being.
Our thoughts are with you and we are saddened by your loss.
He will be missed.
Take care.
Sheri Leff
10/19/2010
Swift family
i remember your dad being such a warm happy man!
He will be missed by all.
Love -
Sheri Leff
Kevin & Sandy Baker
10/19/2010
We were all so blessed to have had the honor to know such a warm, happy, thoughtful peron.Truly a breath of fresh air and a ray of sunshine when he walked into the room......The kind of person that'll make ya smile when you think of him....A true testimony that life is too short to be unhappy. Please don't be sad that he isn't here be happy that God Always picks the prettiest flowers first and Dale was a beautiful rose!!!!
Kevin & Sandy Baker
Kelly, Katrina and Lily Kerlin
10/19/2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Dale will be missed. It was a pleasure meeting him last spring. You have a wonderful family.
Your friends at Car Recyclers, North Manchester, IN
Mary Jo & Jim Dressen
10/19/2010
We are very sorry to hear about Dale's passing. He was a great guy to know and be around. We enjoyed getting to know Dale, Gretchen and meeting the family at the Ozarks. He will certainly be missed by all. We will always feel his presence at the lake when we visit in the future.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Our sincere sympathy,
Mary Jo & Jim Dressen