Swope, Sarah Marie Tipton

Sarah Marie Tipton Swope, 83, passed away April 20, 2012, in Decatur, Ill. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date in Cedar Rapids.

Marie was born July 7, 1928, in Moulton, Iowa, daughter of the late Fred and Mary (Davis) Tipton. The family moved to Ottumwa in 1942. In 1947, Marie married Gordon Lee Swope. They divorced in 1960.

In 1959, Marie began work in the Cedar Rapids office of Investors Life of Iowa (subsequently Life Investors, AEGON, and later Transamerica). At that time there were about a half dozen employees in the Cedar Rapids office. The pursuit of her career involved moves to Omaha, Neb.; Los Angeles, Calif., and back to Cedar Rapids, where she officially retired from AEGON in 1991. Marie continued to work part-time as a consultant at AEGON until February 2010.

She cared deeply for the Cedar Rapids community and spent many hours volunteering. In the past, she served as president of the Five Seasons Senior Housing board, served on the RSVP Advisory Council, the United Way Cabinet, Cedar Rapids Ambassadors (chair 1988-1989), and volunteered at the Community Free Clinic. Marie was honored as 1990 YMCA Woman of the Year.

She enjoyed attending performances of the Cedar Rapids Symphony, local and national theater productions, playing bridge, and book clubs.

Marie loved to travel and considered herself fortunate to have taken numerous business trips and vacations throughout the United States and much of the world, including most of Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada.

Marie leaves many legacies … hard work, dedication, a sense of responsibility … but to those who knew her best, her faith in God would be considered her enduring quality. As with everyone, life presented “ups and downs,” but through every circumstance, she found comfort and strength in the Bible, prayer, and fellowship with others.

Marie was a very active member at Stonebridge Church, where she served on the Women's Ministries Team, and participated in Tuesday Morning Break Bible Study, Apples of Gold, and the Prayer Chain.

Health issues necessitated her move to Imboden Creek Gardens Assisted Living in Decatur, Ill., in 2010.

Marie is survived by her son, Craig (Mary Beth) Swope of Carson City, Nev.; her daughter, Cheryl (Kirk) Schmidt of Decatur, Ill.; grandchildren, Niscah (Ronnie) Moller of Grandview, Texas, Staff Sgt. James Tyler (Misty) Schmidt of Fort Campbell, Ky., and Matthew Schmidt of New York, N.Y.; great-grandchildren, Sarah, Trey, Aidan and Riley Moller of Grandview, Texas, and Mackenzie Rasar of Metamora, Ill.; brother, Charles (Susan) Tipton of Sims, Ark.; sister, Lois (Larry) Huddleston of Ottumwa; many nieces and nephews; and many, many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Grant Tipton, and sister, Neva Tipton Root.

Marie's family would like to thank the excellent and caring staff at Imboden Creek Gardens and Imboden Creek Living Center for their dedication and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cedar Rapids Community Health Center or Stonebridge Church.

The family of Sarah Marie Swope is being served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave., Decatur, Ill.

Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.

Published April 22, 2012 in The Gazette