Charles D. Swift

Charles D. Swift, 82, of Mason City died Thursday, December 30, 2010 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. Memorial services will be held on Friday, January 7, at 11:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 100 S. Pierce Avenue in Mason City with the Reverend Paul Collier officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date. Those who wish may direct memorials to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, #444, 505 5th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309-2321 or the First Presbyterian Church. Chuck was born February 8, 1928 to Hattie (Anderson) Swift and Erdix Marlowe Swift of Mason City, the youngest of five children. He attended Mason City schools and graduated from MCHS in 1946. Chuck then enlisted in the U. S. Army, where he was stationed in Korea until his discharge. He returned to Mason City where he wed his high school sweetheart, Joyce Bisbee, on February 20, 1948. He graduated from Drake College, Des Moines, IA in 1951. Chuck and Joyce returned to Mason City, bought their first house, and Chuck went to work at Marshall & Swift, Inc. Chuck's dad, Erdix Swift, and his partner, Arleigh Marshall, the original owner/operators of the company, both died in 1950, leaving their sons, Chuck and Don Marshall to run the company. Over the next two decades, Chuck and Don expanded the plant and changed its' focus from solely a laundry and dry cleaning plant to a linen and uniform textile rental supply company. Today the company services an area 100 miles in diameter from Mason City. Chuck will be remembered for his integrity in his business dealings and his concern for Marshall & Swift employees and their families. In his earlier years, Chuck was an avid duck hunter. (At least one family member thought twice a week was way too often to eat duck for supper.) He generously shared his love for the outdoors with his family and friends. Chuck was active in Boy Scouts, first as a Scout himself, and later as a Troop leader. His enthusiasm and generous spirit, along with his ability to make fun happen, earned him lasting respect from his scouts. Later, he served on the Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board. He enjoyed skiing in the winter and sailing in the summer. Weekend ski trips with his family and friends to Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan provided fun and lasting memories. Chuck and Joyce were long-time members of the Clear Lake Yacht Club, where Chuck raced in the Y-Class. He often took his family, and whatever assorted friends were around, on night sails, best remembered for the singing (in multiple-part harmony, of course!). Joyce and Chuck were lucky to have taken wonderful vacations together. The most memorable was a month-long sail in 1960. Along with two close friends, they chartered a boat and sailed the West Indies Windward and Leeward islands. It was a once in a lifetime experience as most of the islands had not yet been developed as tourist destinations. Chuck and Joyce moved out to the country in 1968. They loved everything about their new surroundings and together they developed an avid interest in birding and a lifelong concern for wildlife and conservation. Joyce and Chuck shared 62 years together prior to her death on November 16, 2010. Chuck cherished his wife and was steadfast in his devotion. He was a loving and supportive father and grandfather, and a loyal friend. His genuine affection and welcoming hugs endeared him to family and friends. He is survived by son Steve Swift and his wife, Sheila, of Clear Lake; daughter Alison Konefes of Mason City, granddaughter Jennie Hoglund and her husband, Grant, and great-grandchildren Evan and Norah Joyce, of St. Paul, MN, grandson Chuck Konefes of Lincoln Park, IL, grandson Steve Konefes and his fiance, Erin Wessells, of Rodgers Park, IL; son Alan Swift and his wife, Debbie, of Hayden, ID, granddaughter Margo Crabb and great-grandchildren Paige and Ben Crabb of Coeur d'Alene, ID, granddaughter Melissa DeVisser and her husband, Jerre, and great-grandchildren Tyler Sheahan and Lilly DeVisser of Pell City, AL; sisters-in-law Janice Litteneker of Idaho Falls, ID, and Hetsy Bisbee of Stonington, CT, and many nieces and nephews. Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, his parents, his sisters Dorothy Farrer and Jean Keohen, his brothers W. Carroll Swift and Erdix Swift, Jr., and brothers-in-law Jean Bisbee and Paul Litteneker.