Gini Lea Swift

Virginia "Gini" Swift, age 92, of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at the Avera Tyler Hospital in Tyler, Minnesota. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 1, 2023, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 31, 2023, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. Visitation will continue one hour prior to her service, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., on Friday at the church. Following Mass on Saturday, Interment will be in St. Mary's Calvary Catholic Cemetery, near Tracy, Minnesota, and then attendees are then invited to Bitton's Roadhouse in Garvin, Minnesota.

Virginia Lea Schuler was born on April 25, 1931, in Tyler, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Elmer and Lillian Wendorff Schuler. Gini was baptized, received first communion, and was confirmed at St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler, Minnesota. She attended country school in Arco and then Lynd before her family moved to Garvin, Minnesota. Gini then graduated from Tracy High School with the class of 1949.

Even as a young girl, Gini was a hard worker - she always held a job starting with mowing lawns, a passion that continued for her throughout her life. She helped area farmers by raking hay and plowing in the spring and fall. She also waitressed at the Morgan cafe before she moved to San Diego, California, following high school. It was in California that she began caring for others as a nurse.

Upon his return home from Korea, Gini was united in marriage to Cecil Swift on June 29, 1953, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tracy. She accompanied his deployment to California and the couple then returned to Garvin briefly before moving to Marshall in 1956. As their family grew, Gini still worked outside the home namely at Marshall Meat, Weiner Memorial Hospital, Kirby vacuum sales, and Roberts Specialty (based in Austin). She was also instrumental in working with Cecil at Swift Plumbing and Heating, which began in 1969 and she served many years as the business bookkeeper. Even in retirement, Gini found part-time work at Walmart.

Gini's enjoyments in life included dancing, country western music, fishing, hunting, traveling, the Minnesota Vikings, and keeping a tidy yard. She played on the nurse's softball team for many years and was an active member of the VFW and American Legion auxiliaries and also a proud charter member of the Eagles Club in Marshall.

Gini's sons and extended family were always very important to her. She said her grandchildren made her smile more than anything and she treasured being called the "Cookie Grandma" and "Bird Grandma". Notes she left for family thank them for the many memories and encourage those that loved her to rely on their faith in God through trying times.

Virginia Swift died peacefully on Saturday, August 26, 2023, in Tyler, Minnesota. She had reached the age of 92 years, 4 months, and 1 day. Blessed and eternal be her memory.

She is survived by her 2 sons, Phil (and Nancy) Swift of Cheyenne, WY, Jerald (and Lori) Swift of Sioux Falls, SD; 5 grandchildren, Kristeen (and Jake) Paradis of New Ulm, Jason Swift (and Sara Ronan) of Sioux Falls, SD, Chelsea (and Seth) Jerke of Tripp, SD, Josh (and Jen) Swift of Idaho Falls, ID, Jessica Phillippee of Idaho Falls, ID; 8 great-grandchildren, JaDi Rosales, Shelby Paradis, Brooke Paradis, Max Paradis, Connor Swift, Hayden Swift, Wyatt Swift, Riley Swift; sister, Dolores "Dee" Bump of Cedar Rapids, IA; sister-in-law, Jeanene Swift of Marshall; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Gini was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Lillian Schuler; husband, Cecil Swift (1995); son, Patrick Swift (2007); and brother-in-law, Kenny "Bud" Bump.