Ruth Swart 1934-2025
Ruth Priscilla (Smith) Swart was born July 1, 1934, at the Sabetha Hospital to Charles (Herb) and Hulda (Thieme) Smith. Ruth passed on Monday, May 26, 2025.
Ruth was baptized and confirmed at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fairview. She attended Morning Star country school for first through eighth grades and graduated from Goff High School in May of 1952. After graduation, Ruth moved to Topeka with her dad while her mother and sisters remained in Goff for the 1952-53 school year. While in Topeka, Ruth attended Clark Business School, worked at Nabisco and transferred church membership to St Paul’s Lutheran Church.
On April 24, 1955, she married Carl D Swart at St Paul’s in Topeka. Following their marriage, the couple resided in rural Seneca in Nemaha County, where they started a successful dairy and stock cattle farm. Ruth transferred her membership to First Lutheran Church in Sabetha.
Her memberships included the Friendly Neighbor HDU, WWI social club, Working Women Investments and Lutheran Women Missionary League. She volunteered with the Red Cross blood drives, Fairview (Goff) Cemetery Board and the Goff Alumni through the years.
Ruth and Carl enjoyed many trips, tours and cruises throughout the world! One in particular was a Zip Line in Belize when she was in her 80s. “Watch out, she’s coming in HOT!” One of her favorite activities was writing letters and sending cards. The family is in hopes that the Post Office doesn’t go out of business.
Ruth is survived by her husband, Carl, of the home. They recently celebrated 70 years of marriage. To this union they were blessed with four children: Carlene (Herman) Jones, Berryton, Marlene Geyser, Topeka, James Martin (JM) (Jackie) Swart, Seneca, and Ilene (David) Enneking, Centralia; 12 grandchildren, Philip (Paige) and Daniel Jones, Megan Geyser, Jason (Katie) Swart, Jamie (Logan) Hiltibrand, Jill (Craig) Nolte, Jaci (Dane) Brinker, Nichole (Jason) Showman, Anthony (Kat) Enneking, Thomas (Molly) Enneking, Gerard (Amanda) Enneking and Paul (Megan) Enneking; and 19 great-grandchildren. Ruth is also survived by her two sisters, Liz Gilman and Jean Simmons, both of Topeka.
Ruth requested cremation. Private family graveside service will be held at a later date at Fairview Cemetery in Goff.
Memorials may be made to the Fairview (Goff) Cemetery or First Lutheran Church of Sabetha, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
