Deloris "Dee" Sweitzer

Deloris “Dee” Sweitzer, age 72, of Sioux City, IA passed into the arms of our Lord at her home on October 20, 2024. Dee was born on June 11, 1952, in Vermillion, SD to Earl Phillip and Inez Irene Anderson. She was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church near Elk Point, SD and converted to Catholicism in 1978 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Des Moines, IA.

Dee married Rick Lee Sweitzer on May 25, 1974, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Sioux City, IA. To this 50-year union four children were born.

Dee studied and was a football cheerleader at Elk Point High School and graduated in 1970. She continued her education in Secretarial Studies at the University of South Dakota. She enjoyed her career in the banking industry at Banco Mortgage Lending in Waterloo, IA and Northwestern National Bank in Des Moines, IA before returning to Sioux City, IA to work at Security National Bank.

In 1983, Dee left her career in banking to begin a career she truly loved, raising her children. Her time spent at home allowed her to volunteer as a classroom “mom” and become an active member of the Sacred Heart School Parent Teacher Association. Dee’s “mom taxi” shuttled kids to and from t-ball, baseball, softball, soccer, football, basketball, and volleyball practices and games. She was devoted to her time spent with family and rarely missed a game or school music performance. Beyond being a loving mother to her own 4 children, she was also a “mom” to her children’s friends and a “grandma” to her grandchildren’s friends.

Dee was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She took the title of Gramma D as she warmly welcomed each of her 7 grandchildren. Her pride as a grandmother was apparent in the joy she showed while following her grandchildren around to their events just as she did with her children. She often shared lunches and antiquing trips with her two sisters. Dee hosted her sisters’ families for Easters and birthdays and traveled with her family to spend time with them on Thanksgivings and Christmases.

Dee’s love and devotion flowed beyond her family. She was also a loving and dedicated friend. With her children in school, Dee enjoyed her time spent with her “Sweatshirt Buddies.” Her group of friends bowled in the Wednesday afternoon ladies league at the Plaza Bowl and golfed in the Wednesday morning ladies league at Sun Valley golf course. After “retiring” from bowling and golf they continued to gather to play cards or have lunch at one of their favorite restaurants or cafes

Dee is survived by her devoted husband, Rick; sons, Jason (Emily) Sweitzer of Sioux City, IA , Jeremy (Alison) Sweitzer of Omaha, NE, Justin Sweitzer of Sioux City, IA; daughter, Jodi Sweitzer of Sioux City, IA; sisters, Leona (Craig) McInerney of Elk Point, SD and Barbara (Kevin) Kavanaugh of Sioux Falls, SD; brothers-in-law Marc (Maryern Einck) Sweitzer, Bruce Zook of Sioux City, IA; sister-in-law Sheila (Tony) Martinez of Irving, TX; mother-in-law Mary Zook of Sioux City, IA; grandchildren, Olivia, Keaton, Payton, Bennett, Paxton, Piper and Parker; many nieces, nephews, and an immeasurable amount of friends who will truly miss her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; father-in-law, Lee Sweitzer; Rick’s stepfather, Charlie Zook; brother-in-law, Randy Sweitzer; sister-in-law, Kristine Sweitzer.

A visitation with the family present will be held at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, 3220 Stone Park Blvd on Thursday October 24, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. with a vigil service beginning promptly at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 5000 Military Road at 10 a.m. on Friday October 25, 2024. A private interment will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City at a later date.

The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to UNMC, Unity Point ICU staff, Care Initiatives Hospice – Sioux City, and the countless staff of medical professionals that offered great love and care to Dee.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education (FIRE Foundation) of NW Iowa or Care Initiatives Hospice – Sioux City.