Anita Swier, age 70, passed away at her home on July 17, 2023, after a brave battle with cancer. She was surrounded in love with her family.

Anita was born on August 2, 1952, to John and Albertha Van Roekel in Rock Rapids, Iowa. She grew up in a loving home, full of fun, faith, and hard work, on a dairy farm with three brothers. Her family moved to Colton, South Dakota, when Anita was about 12 years old. She soon met the ornery neighbor boy, Wally Swier, who would become her steady high school boyfriend and later, her husband. Anita graduated from Tri-Valley High School in 1970 and went on to attend a year of business school at Nettleton College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 1973, she wed her sweetheart, Walter, going on to have four children, Sonya, Seth, Stacy, and Shelly.

Anita dedicated much of her children’s early years to being at home, while also working at various part-time jobs including a nursing home, a preschool, and a clothing store. She was an incredibly dedicated and loving mom who spent countless hours singing lullabies, saying night-time prayers, reading books, scratching backs, and teaching Sunday School. In 1993, the family moved to Marshall, Missouri, where they remain today. Over the past 30 years in Marshall, Anita worked at JCPenney, Bank 21, and the Marshall Public Library. She enjoyed each position and was a uniquely warm, kind, and caring person, greeting customers and friends with her big Van Roekel smile and genuine desire to help.

Anita loved flowers and enjoyed gardening, always able to name a plant or flower when asked. She was a sharp lady with a strong math aptitude who loved a good book. She loved her pets over the years and will be deeply missed by her big, blonde golden retriever, Harriett, and two kitties. She was sweet and funny and often fell for Walt’s silly stories and jokes, followed by an easy laugh and a playful, “Oh, Walt”. Anita was an amazing grandma, warm and loving, always ready to hug and cuddle, color, or go for a walk.

Anita is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Walter, as well as her children Sonya (Travis) Stickels of Marshall, Missouri, Seth (Kit) Swier of Omaha, Nebraska, Stacy Verts of Marshall, Missouri, and Shelly (Mason) Lea of Springfield, Missouri. She was a proud grandma to 10 grandchildren, Austin, Ethan, Grant, Luke, Noah, Claire, Emmitt, Brady, Elise, and Quinn. Anita will also be missed by three brothers, Jim (Karen) Van Roekel, Tom (Rhonda) Van Roekel, and Larry (Melody) Van Roekel, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Albertha Van Roekel, as well as her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Peter and Dorothy Swier.

Please join us in celebrating her life on Saturday, July 22, 2023, with a visitation from 1:30-2:30pm followed by a funeral service at 2:30 p.m. at Campbell Lewis Funeral Home, 226 S. Odell in Marshall, MO. Memorials are suggested to Fitzgibbon Home Health and Hospice. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com