Bessie Swain 1924-2026

Bessie Lorraine McKinsey Swain, 102, formerly of Holton, died Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Eastridge Nursing Home in Centralia.

She was born May 2, 1924, the daughter of Otto and Stella Peasley McKinsey. She attended school at Avoca and Bucks Grove and graduated from Soldier Rural High School in 1942.

Mrs. Swain worked at Pelletier’s in Topeka, J.C. Penney in Holton, Kmart in Topeka and Walmart in Holton. She and her husband also lived in Topeka and east of Soldier.

She married Floyd Swain. He preceded her in death on March 5, 2002.

Survivors include two daughters, Marion and husband Mike, Irvine, Calif., and Ruth, Holton; six grandchildren, Chris and wife Adrienne, Emily, Shelly, Jill, Keith and Julie and husband Corey; and 10 great-grandchildren, Ella, Landon, Lia, Michael, Caity, Emily, Paxton, Zachary, Thane and MacKenzie.

Mrs. Swain will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, July 29 and 30, at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton, where family will greet friends from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 31. Private burial will follow in Bucks Grove Cemetery.