Funeral Service
10:30 A.M., Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Trinity Lutheran Church
Estelline, South Dakota
Rev. Ann E.S. Webb, Officiating

Interment
Hillcrest Cemetery
Estelline, South Dakota

Visitation
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Geise Funeral Home in Estelline


Richard C. Swift, son of Jesse and Beatrice (Lehner) Swift, was born July 28, 1918, in Brookings, South Dakota. He grew up on the family farm three miles west and one mile south of Estelline and received his education in rural school in Estelline Township. He attended Estelline High School and then did farm labor and also drove truck for John Blumeyer. He was united in marriage to Joyce Beck on January 24, 1951, in Estelline. They farmed southwest of Estelline until he semi-retired in 1980. He then continued to help family and neighbors on the farm and he and Joyce wintered in Texas for 23 years. Richard entered the Estelline Nursing and Care Center on March 24, 2008, and died there on Saturday, April 25, 2009, at the age of 90 years, 8 months and 27 days.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Estelline and also a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 60 years. He served on the Estelline Community Oil Board for over 20 years. Richard enjoyed woodworking and playing horseshoes. He competed and took his grandchildren to the State Hand Cornpicking Contest and also competed on the national level.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Joyce of rural Bruce, SD; two daughters, Susan Linneman and her husband David of rural Bruce, Gale Jordan and her husband Michael of Magnolia, TX; five grandchildren, Sarah, Rachel, Alan, Brett and Tyler; one sister, Wava Janssen and her husband Vance of Sioux Falls, SD; one sister-in-law, Janet Cervik of Hebron, IN; and several nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Lorraine Cleveland, two nephews and one niece.