Gary Dean Swart
Gary Swart Obituary
In Loving Memory of
Gary Dean Swart
Gary Swart was born on December 3, 1946, in Slayton, Minnesota to Lois Swart. As an infant Gary went to live with his aunt and uncle Connie and Jerry Scheerhorn. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Chandler High School in 1964. On January 1966 Gary enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. Following his honorable discharge on December 1967 he returned to the family farm in Fenton Township. On April 3, 1971, he and Deb Farrell were married at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home in Chandler, MN for one year before moving to the Swart family farm in Fenton Township. Gary spent all but 2 years of his life on the Swart family farm, farming and raising his two children. Gary retired in 2010 but remained a vital part of the farming operation now being run by his son, Dave. Gary and his fishing buddies have fished every reservoir on the Missouri River with his last trip being in June 2023 in Montana. Due to failing health Gary moved to Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. He passed away there on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at the age of 76. He was a member of St. Columba Church in Iona, MN. He was a lifetime member of the Iona VFW Post which eventually joined with the Wilmont VFW Post. Gary enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, hunting, reading, playing cards, sports, coffee at Lloyds, shaking dice, watching the MN Vikings and Gophers and having a few cold ones.
Survivors include his wife, Deb Swart of Slayton, MN, two children and their spouses, Renee and Perry Estebo of Brookings, SD, Dave and Brooke Swart of Slayton, MN, four grandchildren, Deon and Jaydon Estebo, and Jacob and Devin Swart, one sister-in-law, Diana Elsing and her husband, Rodney of Worthington, MN, one nephew, Shawn Elsing and his wife, Melissa of Worthington, MN, and one niece, Nikki Elsing and Mitchell Koch of Sioux Falls, SD. He is preceded in death by his mother, Lois Swart, aunt and uncle, Connie and Jerry Scheerhorn, and parents-in-law, Edmond “Dudd” and Patricia “Pat” Farrell.
Memorial Services
St. Columba Church in Iona, MN on Monday, October 2, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Dharma Pasala officiating. The organist is Sharon Lais. The song leader is Wesley Biren. The honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren. Interment is at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Slayton, MN. Military honors accorded by the Wilmont VFW Post.
Visitation will be on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at St. Columba Church in Iona from 4-6 pm. also one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton, MN is entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers the family is asking for memorials so they may be donated to the new Murray Country gym floor.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gary Dean Swart, please visit our floral store.
