Donald Swender

1944 - 2021

Donald Swender
January 7, 1944 - April 28, 2021
Newton, Kansas - Donald Wesley Swender's spirit left his body on April 28, 2021, after a long, hard struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Don was born to Lois and Lowell Swender in Strong City, KS on January 7, 1944. They preceded him in death. Thanks to the support and care of Good Shepherd Hospice, Don was able to remain in his home and die surrounded by family, as he had hoped. The Good News is that nothing, not even death, can separate Don from the love of God.
Don's education included grade school and junior high in Strong City, high school in Valley Center, KS, college at Emporia State University, graduate school at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, and St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, MO. His teaching career began at Rosedale High School in Kansas City, KS (speech, English, and debate.) He was debate coach at Andover High School, teaching assistant at Kent State University, debate coach at Mt. Union University in Alliance, OH, and Wichita State University. After retirement, he taught speech for Hutchinson Community College.
Don was an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and served Kansas churches in El Dorado (First United Methodist), Harper, Andover, Newton (Trinity Heights), Argonia, and after retirement, at Newton First United Methodist and Moundridge UMC.
For 10 years during his midlife, he suffered with Anorexia Nervosa. He was successfully treated by Dr. Kermit Schmidt and the Menninger Foundation
Community activities included Lions Clubs, Peace Connections, and judging debate and forensics for the KSHSAA. He enjoyed being a host father for 5 foreign exchange students with International Christian Youth Exchange—Ana Lena (Sweden), Regina (Germany), Carole (Switzerland), Gabriella (Italy), and Tarja (Finland).
Don loved music—especially Christmas music. He enjoyed playing the piano, organ, hammer dulcimer, handbells; singing in the choir; and attending musical performances—especially of his grandchildren. He loved ice cream and walking for exercise. He was a KU basketball fan. His favorite place was Madeline Island in Lake Superior in Wisconsin.
Don dearly loved his family. He was a much loved son, brother, nephew, cousin, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Sue (Stauffer); daughter Sharilyn Thiessen (Jim); grandsons Dallas Thiessen and Josiah Thiessen; granddaughter Sierra Jones; great-grandson Alistair Jones; sisters Connie Braun and Rita Johnson (Ed); brother Richard Swender (Terry), and cats Hermione and Bigfoot.
Memorials have been established with Trinity Heights United Methodist Church, 1200 Boyd Avenue, Newton, KS 67114 and Pass the Torch, KS Area United Methodist Foundation, Box 605, Hutchinson, KS 67504. Celebration of Life service will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday May 15 at Trinity Heights UMC, 1200 Boyd Ave, Newton, KS.