Service Information
Richard “Dick” T. Swift, age 99, of Glencoe, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at Grand Meadows in Glencoe.
Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Johns Church, rural Biscay, Hassan Valley Township, McLeod County, Minnesota, with interment in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, March 22, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. and will continue one hour prior to the service ALL at the church.
Service will be livestreamed via https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=h0vNH-rsIvE
Obituary
Richard “Dick” Thomas Swift was born on November 1, 1924, at their rural family home near Wendell, Minnesota. He was the oldest son of James and Eunice (Kube) Swift. Dick grew up on the family farm and graduated from Elbow Lake High School Class of 1943.
On June 22, 1957, Dick was united in marriage to Bernetta Jasmer at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bartlett Township, Todd County, Minnesota. They met at Rural Youth in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where they enjoyed roller skating, singing, and other activities. After their marriage, the couple resided in rural Herman, Minnesota, where they farmed. He farmed until his retirement in January of 1990. Richard and Bernetta moved to rural Glencoe, Minnesota, in 1998.
Dick's pastimes included being a private pilot in the 1950s, square dancing, singing, woodworking, and deer hunting, with some of the latter activities continuing well into his 80's or beyond. At his 99th birthday celebration he sang many of the songs he knew by memory, and he was often known to sing a few bars for someone near him.
Dick was a member of St. John's Church near Biscay, Minnesota, and a former member of First Presbyterian Church in Elbow Lake, Minnesota, and Lawrence Church in rural Wendell. Serving others was important to Dick, both as an individual and with organizations. He served near Herman on the rural telephone board, township board, and rural electric cooperative board, along with volunteering at his church and visiting the elderly at area nursing homes.
In Glencoe, he was active with the Glencoe Woodworking Club, the McLeod County Emergency Food Shelf, and the St John's Ice Cream Social fund raiser. He made many items in his wood shop for the church raffle, donations to Toys for Tots and as gifts to others. Among the items made were many scale models of farm and construction equipment that he had used or observed from his youth. He often brought his collection to shows and nursing homes to allow others to relive their own memories. He appreciated the many wonderful people he met in both the Hutchinson and Glencoe communities, including his church, area restaurants, lumberyards and Silver Sneakers.
A while after Bernetta passed, Richard moved to Orchard Estates in Glencoe and eventually to Grand Meadows Assisted Living in Glencoe. He found wonderful friendships and care at both facilities. Dick was able to remain active and involved at Grand Meadows until he peacefully passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the age of 99 years.
Richard is survived by his:
Sons, Timothy Swift and his wife, Melanie of Bellevue, WA,
David Swift and his wife, Celine of Glencoe, MN;
Grandchildren, Andrew Swift, Alina Swift, Chandler Swift and his wife, Käthe, Robin Swift, Isaac Swift;
Son-In-Law, Randy Westrum and his wife, Mary of Loveland, CO;
Brothers, Cliff Swift and his wife Joyce, of Mesa, AZ,
Vernon Swift of Fergus Falls, MN;
Many other relatives and friends.
Richard was preceded in death by his Parents, James and Eunice Swift; Wife, Bernetta (Jasmer) Swift; Daughter, Cynthia Kay (Swift) Westrum; Grandson, Cameron Swift; Sister-in-law, Charlotte Swift.
The Graupmanns says
So blessed we were to know and love Dick, and to call his beautiful family our dear friends. His wisdom and enthusiasm for life was evident in all interactions with him. Never missed an opportunity to tell you how blessed he was. May you be comforted knowing he is with Jesus and also sweet Bernita. Love you all.
Zach Larson says
A good man who taught me something new every time I saw him. Always referred to him as uncle Dick, even though he wasn’t technically. I will never forget our time together at deer camp. Very fond memories!!
Ellen Tracy says
A great man who influenced so many! Thank you Mr. Swift for all you have given to us! Your legacy will live on in your family and friends. I will never forget our visits and your cookies! The music time together was one of the best! Always on my heart!
Wanda Heidecker says
Such a gentleman. So polite and loved life . It was a pleasure to have known him . Heaven is blessed.
Kari Eischens says
Dick was one of the best people I have ever met in my life. We wash dishes during the ice cream social and he would call me his “Special Sweetheart” and I would call him my “Secret Boyfriend”. I will miss you forever and always my special friend.
Mary Beth Schmidt says
I feel so blessed to have had such a great uncle.
He was a life long learner and encouraged creativity in himself and others.
He genuinely loved people. He listened, respected and cared for those that had the opportunity to know him.
You were/are an inspiration to me to do better and be better.
Love you uncle Dick.
Jerry and Sandy says
Our Deepest sympathy to you and your family. His was a very kind man. May you find comfort in knowing Dick is with his Lord and Savior. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Linda and Stevee says
A wonderful neighbor. Would offer see and chat with Bernetta and Dick when they were out walking. Never saw a “stray” beverage can on Major Ave. When Dick relocated to Orchard Estates, he would often build little gifts for the residents, usually door stops to, in my mind, promote open door visits and welcome for his new neighbors. And the smells he would create from his baking….filled the corridor at Orchard.
If the world would follow a bit of Dicks fellowship and friendship …..well we’d all be better off.
Larry Jilek says
Dick was a special friend to our family and especially to my mom, Alice. They were great friends at the Care facility. they did many fun activities together. Dick our family has very high regards for you.
I appreciate having known you
Lea Ette Peters says
Swift Family,
Dick was a great friendly person. A good example of a Christian man doing so many incredible things for our church. He was always willing to give a helping hand doing dishes, doing misc. things behind the scenes, and making many wooden items for our ice cream social. I too enjoyed his cookies and the many informative
letters. I will miss seeing you and our visits at church. Lea Ette Peters
Paula Perdoni says
We extend our deepest condolences to the Swift families. Although we lost touch with Bernetta and Dick, we will never forget how welcoming they were when our family relocated to Roseville Twp, Minnesota in 1992. They were so kind to our small children and always willing to answer any questions we may have had. Their acceptance made our settling in much easier. Fondly, The Perdoni Family