Debra Diane Swihart

Debra Diane Swihart, the daughter of Kenneth Dean and Elizabeth Mae (Allison) Groet, was born December 3, 1952, in Oskaloosa, Iowa.  Deb received her Associate Nursing Degree and went on to receive a Forensic Nursing Degree and bachelor’s degree in health administration.  She worked as a nurse at Skiff Medical Center in Newton for 30 years.  She served as the Director of Nursing for the Knoxville Hospital for five years.  She then went to Iowa Valley Community College in Marshalltown and taught until 2020.

On March 12, 1994, Deb was united in marriage with David Swihart in Newton. Iowa.  Deb attended the United Church of Christ and was a member of 100 Great Nurses of Iowa.  She enjoyed camping and fishing, being at the beach, spending time in the pool, being with her grandkids and family gatherings, especially at Christmas time.

Deb died on February 23, 2022, at her home outside of Newton, Iowa, surrounded by her husband, daughters and her dog, Ginger.  She was 69 years old.  Deb was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Kenneth and Elizabeth Groet and Donald and Dorothy Swihart.

Those left to honor Deb’s memory include her loving husband, David Swihart; her daughter, Melissa (Gary) Pearson; grandson, Cody (Chelsea) Pearson; great-granddaughter, Everleigh Rose Pearson, step-grandsons, Kaden Holmes and Karter Holmes; granddaughter, Elizabeth Diane Pearson and grandson, Christopher Robin Pearson; her daughter, Amy McDermott; grandson, Carter Dean McDermott; granddaughter, Jorja Mae McDermott; son, Eric (Eva) Grife; granddaughters, Kaydence Jade Grife and Londyn Lee Grife; step-son, Kristopher (Kasie) Swihart; step-grandson, Jacob Swihart; step-granddaughters, McKenna Swihart and Peyton Swihart; her brother, Kenny (Polly) Groet; niece, Melissa, and her family; nephew, Duane (Angela) Groet and his family; special cousins, Judy DesPlanque and Kathy VanTomme; and special friends, Marna Fox, Lori Ward,  and Tammy Chance; brothers-in-law, Dan (Kay) Swihart and their family and Duane (Dianna) Swihart and their family.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., Sunday, February 27, 2022, at the Newton American Legion.  Memorials may be left in Deb’s name (Please make checks payable to David Swihart) and may be left at the American Legion or the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home.