Dean Swope

Dean Elton Swope, 91, of Lewis, Iowa, passed away Saturday, February 7, 2015, at Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center.

Dean was born September 11, 1923, in Oakland, Iowa, to Elmer and Grace (Applegate) Swope. He grew up near Oakland and graduated from Oakland High School in 1942. After graduation, he farmed with his father near Lewis. Dean was married to Dolores Perdue on February 16, 1947, at Wheelers Grove Church in Carson, Iowa. During their marriage, they farmed west of Lewis until 1995, at which time they moved into Lewis.

He was a member of the United Congregational Methodist Church in Lewis, active in the Farm Bureau, and he had been a member of the Masonic Cass Lodge #412 in Griswold for over 50 years. Dean enjoyed camping, bowling, following Iowa Hawkeye sports, western movies (especially John Wayne), wood working in his shop and selling Funks G Hybrid seed corn with his son, Chuck.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

Dean is survived by his wife, Dolores of Lewis, IA; son, Chuck (Donnell) Swope of Hancock, IA; five daughters, Nancy Christensen and friend, Tim Krebbs of Englewood, FL, Jolene Swope of Papillion, NE, LaDean Swope of Omaha, NE, Claudia (Scott) Smith of Urbandale, IA, and Darcey Swope of LaVista, NE; eight grandchildren, Bradley Swope, Kim (Bill) Murphy, Geoff Christensen and fiancé, Wendy Swan, ET3 Kaitlyn Smith, Tucker Smith, Colleen Smith, Jackson Smith, Garret (Danielle) Cook; four-great-grandchildren, Samantha, Taylor, Ashlea and Grayson; a brother, Gordon Swope of Nixa, MO; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 11, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic, IA with Pastors Sharon Guffey-Lewis and Pastor Nadine Aydt officiating with burial in Oakwood Cemetery in Lewis, IA.

Visitation with family will be 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, IA, with a Masonic Service to be held at 7:00 p.m. also at the funeral home.