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
Ron German
10/19/2010
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Swift Family. Dale was a good friend to all and truly will be missed. He was the perfect man to run his business, as he found some good in every thing. His love of family, enjoyment in life, and sense of humor will be missed by many. When hearing of his passing, I recalled his encouragement to me when I was battling a similar illness. "Swifty"
will always be a source of fond memories. May he rest in peace.
Marty Reaves
10/19/2010
Dear Gretchen and family:
I am so very sorry to learn of Dale's passing. I pray that God will give you and your family the kind of peace and comfort that only He can. It was truly a "unique" experience to have had the opportunity to work for and with Dale. It was a job I truly loved and enjoyed. Dale Affectionately called me "Norm's girlfriend" every time I came to get a part, and I can still, to this day, hear his booming voice calling to Norm, "Norm, your girlfriend's here!!!" Praying this small bit of humor will bring you and your family a bit of a smile in your time of sorrow.
Sincerely,
Marty Reaves (Norm's Girlfriend)
Barb Flickinger
10/18/2010
Sweet Friends:
My heart is heavy for you. Dale has left an amazing legecy....and has touched many lives. He will not be forgotten. I pray that you feel the comfort from our God, who loves you and will never leave you or forsake you. I am thankful for the HOPE that we have through Jesus Christ our Lord. I know that Sarah has met PaPa....and he is giving her hugs for me right now. We can cry "with HOPE"....knowing that we will see Dale's face again!! Amen!! I love each of you.
Peace of God be with all of you!!
Barb
Butch & Judy Smith
10/18/2010
Gretchen and Family:
What can I say?
He was one of my best buddies growing up on E25th. We had great times together and he was responsible for Judy and I meeting. We spoke about that at our 50th in March. He will be remembered by all of us for the memories - and they were plentiful. He will be greatly missed. God has him now and that is a comfort. You all fought a valiant fight you should be proud of yourselves, you helped him alot. He told me so just a short while back. Our thoughts and Prayers are with you.
God bless.
Butch and Judy.
Loyed & Norma Hedges
10/18/2010
Our warmest thoughts are with you at this time.
If we can be of any help, please call.
Blessings & Good Things
Loyed & Norma
The Wheeler families
10/18/2010
We want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and may God grant you all his comfort.
God bless you all,
Amen!
The Wheelers,
Jim, Phyllis, Bill, Bob, Milton, Kitty, and all.
JERRILYN
10/18/2010
SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. I LOVED GETTING TO KNOW THE BOTH OF YOU. HE WAS A VERY FUNNY PERSON AND IM GLAD I GOT TO BE APART OF YOUR JOURNEY IN OUR OFFICE. IF EVER YOU NEED ANYTHING PLEASE DONE HESITATE TO CALL... TAKE CARE GOD BLESS YOU
Jeff and Kim Weeks
10/18/2010
With all our love and sympathy to the Swift family. We will all miss Dale so very much!
Love and Prayers ~
Carolyn (Johnson) Battrick
10/18/2010
Dear Gretchen and family,
So sorry to hear of Dale's death. My thoughts are with you.
Brings back memories of you and Dale during Nurses Training
so many years ago. Take care, Carolyn
Ed/Sandra Doty
10/18/2010
We graduated from high school in 1957 with Dale. We live in CA but
saw Dale at reunions. May God comfort you and give you peace.
Kay Jack
10/18/2010
My deepest condolences to you Gretchen and your family! I am remembering all the fun times that I had at Rathbun with Jim and Julie and you and Dale, and even tho it seems like a life time ago, they are fond memories! I am so sorry and know that you will miss Dale so very much and hold on to all the good memories throughout the years! Kay
Mary Lumley
10/18/2010
My deepest sympathy to all of the Swift family--especially Sam, Tracy and Mike. I do not have the exact words to comfort you, but I truly feel for your loss. I still ask myself daily, Why do bad things happen to good people? I know that this man made a huge difference in one grandson's life. May Sam continue to share the good memories and reflect on the role model he had for way too short of time.
With my deepest sympathy,
Mary Lumley
Alex Dingman and family (friend of Dan Sampson)
10/18/2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. May God's peace be with you.
Brent Monson
10/18/2010
I was very sorry to hear of your family's loss. My thoughts and condolences go out to all.
Ray Smith
10/18/2010
My deepest sympathy to the many family members of Dale Swift. I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Dale for over 35 years and always enjoyed his company. Dale's smile, sparkling eyes, and booming voice always made it fun to be around him. The generosity he showed to his fellow man was so admirable, and, although I hadn't seen Dale much the last few years I know that if we would have run into each other Dale would have treated me with that big smile and positive attitude and we would have talked for hours. I was always glad to have reports from Tracy when I would see her and I can truly say the world was a better place when it had "Swifty" in it being a loving husband and father and spoiling the grand kids.