Dorothy T. Swain

Dorothy T. Swain, 93, died Jan. 31, 2013. She was born March 18, 1919, near Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of John C. and Mabel (Teets) DeFrees. In 1927, the family moved from Becker, Minn., to Wellman, Iowa, where she resided until moving to Hot Springs Village, Ark., with her husband, Lee C. Swain in August 1978.

She was a 1936 graduate of Wellman High School and taught in the rural school of Pilotburg for one year. In 1938, she was married to Leo Kinsinger until he died from injuries due to a car accident in February 1940. In May 1941, she married Lee C. Swain and lived in Wellman for 37 years. During this time she participated in church, school and community activities, as well as assisting at her husband’s veterinary office.

She returned to Iowa in March 2001. Her passions were reading all types of books, traveling, genealogy, and making picture scrapbooks for family. She and her husband enjoyed many summers at their cabin in Canada.

She was a very caring person and enjoyed being with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband on March 20, 1990, in Hot Springs Village, Ark.

She is survived by two sons, Lee R. Swain (Deborah) of Davenport, Wash., and Gary R. Swain (Claudia) of El Paso, Texas; and one daughter, Marcia “Mush” Zapf (Tom) of Iowa City. She has eight grandchildren, Cliff Swain (Jordan), Mark Swain (Lindy), Cindy Swain, Cate Dimisi (Kevin), Ryan Swain (Carin), Dan Swain (Kristin Goetz), Darin Zapf (Kim) and Amy Poggemiller (Bryan); and 11 great-grandchildren, Thomas Swain, Justin Swain, Evan Swain, Grady Goetz, Leigh Dimisa, Caylin Dimisi, Caleb Zapf, Kierra Zapf, Taya Zapf, Megan Poggemiller and Camryn Poggemiller.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at a later date.

A memorial fund has been established for Iowa City Hospice.

The Powell Funeral Home in Wellman is in charge of arrangements.

Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Published Feb, 7, 2013 in The Gazette