Obituary: Calvin "Cal" Swift

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In memory of

Calvin "Cal" Swift

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Thursday, March 22, 2007 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 82

Calvin Loren Swift was born October 15, 1924, in Gregory County, South Dakota, the son of Loren and Marie (Livingston) Swift. He grew up on a farm near Lucas, South Dakota, where he attended country schools and helped his dad on the farm. He attended Lucas High School for three years and graduated from Burke High School in 1943.

Cal married his high school sweetheart Marjorie Johnson on October 23, 1945, at the Lucas Baptist Church. They made their home and farmed for ten years in the Lucas community where their four children were born: Sandra Marie, Richard Dean, Larry Wayne, and Thomas Dale. They later moved to a ranch northwest of Philip. He joined the First Presbyterian Church where he held various positions. Calvin worked several jobs throughout the years including the Philip Livestock Auction, Baye and Sons Implement, and most recently was known throughout the town for his dedication to driving the Haakon County Prairie Transportation Bus.

Calvin will be remembered by many friends for his many jokes and cruising around in the "Little Brownie" pickup.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife of nearly 62 years Marjorie of Philip; his daughter Sandra Bockman and her husband Don and family of Waco, Texas; two sons Larry Swift and his children, and Thomas Swift and his wife Val and children of Philip; fifteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother Ken Swift and his wife Verlene of Rochester, Minnesota; three sisters Vyrle Johnson and her husband George of Gregory, Delores Carey and her husband Russ of Des Moines, Iowa, and Luella Christensen and her husband Ivan of Montevideo, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews; one aunt Vivian Kenzy of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Cal was preceded in death by a son Richard Swift on July 4, 1998; and his parents; an infant brother Howard; and a daughter-in-law Vivian Swift.

Visitation was held 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 25, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Monday.

Funeral services were held 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 26, at the United Church in Philip, with Pastor Mark Ford officiating.

Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery.

A memorial is established.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Monday, March 26, 2007 1:00 p.m.
United Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Mark Ford
MUSIC
Barry and Edna Knutson
"Amazing Grace"
USHERS
Bud Stickler – Marvin Kahl
PALLBEARERS
Bruce Kroetch – Glen Radway
Orrin Carstensen – Mick Mortellaro
Ole Keehner – Darrell Schumaker
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota
The things we felt so deeply
Were the hardest things to say,
But we, the family , loved you
In a very special way.
They say memories are Golden,
Well, that may be true,
But we never wanted memories,
We only wanted you.
If tears could build a stairway
And heartaches make a lane,
We’d walk a path to heaven
And bring you back again.
Our family chain is broken
And nothing will be the same,
But as God calls us one by one
The chain will link again.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Monday, March 26, 2007 1:00 p.m.
United Church
Philip, South Dakota

Sign the guestbook

Dear Marjorie,
Sorry to hear about Cal passing. My prayers are with you. Greet the children. ~ Maryln (Frances) Murphy . (3/22/2007)
Cal will be very missed by all who knew him. Cal was always cracking jokes that would brighten up the day. When Darcy and I were home for the weekend, we enjoyed eating Sunday lunch at the house. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. May God be the comfort that you turn to at this time of need. ~ Jessica Reczek Sioux Falls, SD (3/22/2007)
I love Calvin like family. I will miss his bright smile and shining personality. His memory will stay in my heart forever. ~ Lydia Schulz Box 733 (3/22/2007)
May God be with you all at this time. Cal will be missed by all that knew him. He was was a great person. Made everyone feel at home in their home. I will miss being greeted by him when I visit. ~ Sandy Neumann Round Rock, TX (3/22/2007)
We will miss Cal for his wit and humor. He is the person who explained the his and her trees at the ranch to me. May God be with you all and God bless! ~ Joe and Judy Millage 510 E. Hone St. Box 764, Philip, SD (3/22/2007)
May God be with Tom and Val, and children. Also Larry and children during the passing of Cal. He was a Pillar of the community, and will be missed very much. May God Be with you All. ~ Joe & Marsha Hatheway Blackhawk, SD (3/22/2007)
May god be with you at your time of need. He was a great man. My kids always enjoyed his taking them to school with the bus. He will missed by all who knew them. ~ Mr. & Mrs. Larry Schulz Philip, SD (3/22/2007)
To the family of Cal-
We so enjoyed living down the hill in the brick house across from Cal and Marj when we moved to town. They made us feel so welcome. We should of stopped in more but we do cherish the times that we did. Cal was a neat old man and always loved seeing the kids!
May God carry you through this difficult time and ease the burden of sadness your hearts will bare! ~ David, Michelle, Kelcey, Katie, & Lukas Butler Philip, SD (3/22/2007)