Swinehart, Lola Margaret

Lola Margaret Swinehart, 93, of Des Moines, Wash., formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, May 8, 2010, at Wesley Care Center, Des Moines, Wash., following a brief illness. Her final resting place is Vista Mission Church Cemetery, New Richland, Wash.

Survivors include her daughter, Susan Margaret Swinehart of Vicenza, Italy; her son, Jeffrey Hart of Des Moines, Wash.; her sister, Roberta Johns; and five grandchildren, Quentin J. Taminhart, Riana E. Taminhart, Maya M.D. Swinehart, Emma Rose Hart and Jesse Z.D. Swinehart.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Myrtle and Arthur Lance; her husband, Frank Swinehart; and her sisters, Faye Good, Audrey Cholet and Hilda Lance.

Lola was born on April 27, 1917, in Lafayette, Ohio, to Myrtle and Arthur Lance. She was the fourth daughter to be born to this family. She graduated from Lodi High School in 1934, and traveled to New York with aspirations to become an actress. However, illness in her family prevented her from following her dream and she returned to Medina, Ohio, to work. Lola met Frank Swinehart of Wooster and after several years courtship; they married on June 8, 1940. Lola devoted her life to making a home for her husband and two children. She was great cook and there were always cookies to go with the milk after school. She firmly believed that a meal was not complete without a little something sweet. She was an excellent seamstress and made beautiful clothing for her daughter. As her children grew, she turned to giving much of her time to the United Methodist Church, Camp Fire Girls, Eastern Star and Cub Scouts often in leadership roles. She also provided financial support to several children with medical needs.

After the family moved from Iowa to Minnesota, she gave her time generously to United We Stand, Vista Covenant Church, Prison Ministry, Contact (crisis and reassurance line) and working with young children. Lola was an avid reader and was deeply committed to learning more about her self. She always had several books going and was particularly interested in psychology and spirituality. Several years after the death of her husband, she moved to Des Moines, Wash., and in her 80s becoming a hospice volunteer with the Highline Hospice Program based in Burien, Wash. She resided in Des Moines, Wash., until the time of her death.

She was deeply loved by her children and is remembered fondly by the people where she resided as well as friends in the larger community.

Memorial contributions can be made to your local Hospice program.