Loretta Swift

In Loving Memory of Loretta Olinger Swift Loretta was born on Nov 15th 1927 to Leon and Catherine Olinger. Bernard and Marie completed the family. The family lived on a farm near Strawberry Point, Iowa. Loretta met James Gordon (Gordy) Swift at a Pioneer picnic while she was working at Northwest Bell as a telephone operator and he was working at Western Electric. They were married in 1950. They had seven children-Kathy (Tom) Bawek, Jim Jr. (Patty) Swift, Elodie Trebon, Denise (Bob) Johnson, Leon Swift (deceased), Linette Schnittker, and Stephanie Swift. The next years were very busy and hectic raising 7 children. Once they were all in high school and junior high, Loretta decided she needed a change. She took a job as a switchboard operator at Mercy Hospital. Later, she decided to get a job closer to home and began working as a receptionist/secretary for the Iowa Medical Society in West Des Moines. One more change of profession occurred when she became a travel agent. She enjoyed planning bus trips for groups and visiting places like Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico and New Zealand. She also enjoyed going on a few cruises. Loretta went to Texas to help Leon for a few of years and then returned to Iowa. She had a mobile home in Western Village in West Des Moines. Her hobbies included gardening, sewing and dancing. She always had a green thumb and could make anything grow. At her home, she had several outdoor Hibiscus bushes that were the envy of everyone in the neighborhood. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Loretta had a strong faith in God. She was an active member of Sacred Heart Church in West Des Moines for many, many years, before moving to Waukee to assisted living and joining St. Boniface. Loretta was preceded in death by Leon Swift (son) and Kenny Trebon (grandson). Loretta is survived by 6 children, 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She has donated her body to science at Des Moines University, so interment will occur at a later date. A Celebration of Life service will be held for Loretta at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee on March 10, 2017 at 10:30 am, visitation will start at 9:30 am. Memorials can be made to the family to be used for the charity of their choice.