Jessica Swarthout

Jessica Swarthout, known affectionately to friends and family as Jess, embarked on her final and most mysterious adventure on October 13, 2025. Born on November 8, 1978, in Kansas City, KS, Jess lived a life that was anything but ordinary. Whether it was the haunting melodies of an obscure indie band or the pulsing rhythms of a well-known rock group, if it was weird, you bet Jess had it on her playlist.
Jess passed away in Topeka, KS, but not before she left an indelible mark on the world and the hearts of those around her. Her spirit, a delightful concoction of interesting, creative, and adventurous, made her the life of every party and the soul of every gathering. She had a knack for turning the mundane into the extraordinary, often with a witty one-liner that could make you laugh and think at the same time.
Survived by her devoted domestic partner of nine years, Lloyd Townsend, Jess's love story was anything but ordinary. Together, they navigated life's rollercoaster, hands up and laughing all the way; with their precious pup Cornelius in tow.
Her father, Richard Lee Erickson, preceded her in death, but her mother, Ronda Erickson - Lowry, and stepfather, Ted Lowry, remember Jess as the child who could turn a cardboard box into a castle and a lazy afternoon into an epic quest.
Jess's own role as a matriarch was embraced with fervor and joy. She was a mother to her precious offspring, Anna Swarthout, who mirrored her mother's creativity; Edward Lee Swarthout Jr., who inherited her adventurous spirit; and to Morgan and Abby Martin, her daughters, who reflected Jess's boundless curiosity and zest for life.
Though her union with Edward Swarthout had reached its twilight, their shared chapters bore the fruit of enduring bonds and treasured memories. Jess's life was a canvas upon which she painted a portrait of experiences, each stroke infused with her unique essence.
To speak of Jess is to speak of a life lived with unbridled passion and a refusal to be confined by the mundane. She traversed the world of the ordinary and plunged into the realms of the extraordinary, her soul ever questing for the next adventure, the next melody, the next inspiration.
A Christian by faith, Jess lived by the gospel of laughter and love. She believed in the healing power of a good chuckle and the strength found in a community knit together by shared stories and songs. Her church was anywhere people gathered, her hymns were the songs of the heart, and her sermons were delivered in quips and jests that could make even the sternest deacon crack a smile.
Jess's interests were as broad as her sense of humor. If you were looking for a conversation about music, she was your go-to. From the twang of a country guitar to the blast of a rock anthem, she knew it all. And if you ever wanted to know about that one band, from that one country, with that one song that had a video with the thing-you know the one-Jess was your encyclopedia.
In her lifetime, Jess wore many hats, literally and figuratively. She was the queen of the costume party and a pirate at heart.
To know Jess was to know laughter, music, and the joy of a life lived unapologetically. She left this world much like a shooting star-brilliant, too soon, but with a trail of light that will linger in the night sky, guiding and inspiring us to live as she did, with humor, passion, and a touch of the extraordinary.
As we say goodbye to Jessica Swarthout, let's honor her legacy by living a little more boldly, laughing a little more loudly, and embracing the weird and wonderful world around us with open arms and open hearts. Jess, here's to the next great gig in the sky-save us a front-row seat.
A date and time will be posted on her social media regarding the celebration of life.