Florence Keil Swain

1923 ~ 2016

Florence Keil Swain was born on March 21,1923 and passed away on May20,2016. She was the daughter of William and Florence Keil. She was preceded in death by her husband Walter Robert Swain, one sister Eleanor, two brothers, Martin and George, two sons-in-law, Lynn Bennion and David Hess and one grandson, Casey Lynn Bennion. We will honor our mother at a private family gathering at her request.

Our sweet mother passed away quietly at the home of her son Jeff and his wife Kim, where she had been living for the past four years. She spent some of her weekends at Sharon’s home doing puzzles and having her fingernails painted bright red and enjoyed going to lunch and having holiday dinners with Sue’s family.

We love her very much and it has been a pleasure to take care of her for the past year. She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Sharon and Jim West, JoAnne and Floris Copier, Sue and Buzz Fenton, Bob and Judy Swain, Jeff and Kim Swain, her sister Betty and Norm Hanneman, her brother Paul Keil, a brother-in-law Deveaux and Marge Clark and lots of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many other extended family members.

This was a favorite verse of Moms’, it seems appropriate at this time:

God saw that I was getting tired

And recovery was not to be,

So He put his arm around me

And whispered come with me.

With a tearful eye you watched

And saw me fade away.

Although I love you dearly

No longer could I stay.

A physical heart stopped beating

Working hands were put to rest.

I know your hearts are breaking,

But I am walking with the best.

She was a wonderful mother and we have no doubt that she has been reunited with her true love, Walter Robert Swain, who preceded her in death on August 6, 2001. She spoke of him often and always wondered what he was doing and if he would be waiting for her. They truly had a happy marriage. They worked side by side in their business and were able to travel all over the world together.

Many, many thanks to Jeff and Kim for their unselfish and untiring tender loving care of Mom. They have been angels in every way. Kim went the extra mile to care for her personal needs and Jeff will always remember how he carried her many times in the last few weeks.

She always had such fun when she went to work with Bob and his family, they made such a big fuss over her and she loved it; Some of the other grandchildren had the opportunity to stay with her a few times when it was needed and all of the grandchildren were very sweet to her. Thank you to everyone who took the time to sit on the couch and visit with her and ask her questions. Thanks Ryan.

We extend a heartfelt thanks to her special friend Paul who recently passed away in February, for his many years of friendship.

Sunrise Hospice was there for us the last few months and we appreciate all of them very much, thank you Malissa and Melinda, Kirk and April for your gentle care of Mom.

Things we remember about our mother:

She loved to eat ice cream; to watch the horses where ever we could find them; the deer in the backyard; to help pull weeds; all the things that she took from us [they call it ‘Dementia Shopping’]; how much she loved her rings; how she always wanted to help; how she made her bed first thing and always folded her clothes and pajamas nice and neat; how conscientious she was to sort the bicycle parts for Bob; to feed the chickens; she loved it when Bob’s family sang happy birthday to her three times-­-­-­-­­­ her joining in the last time; to ride around in Jeff’s truck and go to lunch with him; never hearing her gossip about anyone; wondering about her car that she wouldn’t be driving very far, just a little ways; she loved the trees, clouds and blossoms and always commented on them; she loved spring and we’re glad that she finally got to see the leaves back on the trees; she loved her red fingernails but did not like being forced to have pedicures; she spent many hours doing puzzles and reading; her retelling of how the chicken pecked her on the lip when she was a little girl.

We will miss her deeply, but know that she is better off and more comfortable now.

Mom, thanks for all the wonderful memories and for all the funny things you said and did that made us laugh every day. You will forever be in our hearts.

We love you.