Betty J. (Sell) Swailes

Betty J. Swailes, 97, of Muscatine, was called home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 15, 2020. She passed away peacefully at her place of residency at Lutheran Living in Muscatine.  Private family visitation and funeral services will be held at a later date.  Burial will be in the Letts Cemetery.  Due to the pandemic, all those who attended are required to wear a facemask and social distance will be enforced for your safety and the safety of others.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established at the funeral home in memory of Betty.  Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.  The Snyder and Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Services is caring for Betty’s family and arrangements.

Betty Jane Sell was born on November 11, 1923, in Wilton, Iowa, the daughter of Otto J. and Eva L. (Osborn) Sell.  On January 17, 1942, Betty was united in marriage to her soul mate, of 53 years, Everett P. Swailes in Kahoka, Missouri.  She was employed at Keller Ladder and Thatcher Plastics, both in Muscatine.  Betty enjoyed camping and traveling with Everett.  She had a passion for taking pictures and capturing sunsets in the many states traveled along with right out her back door.  She enjoyed fishing, was a good cook and had a skill for canning homegrown vegetables grown in her garden every year.  She had a hand for making homemade crafts and was an animal lover.  She had many pet cats, but the pet that held a special place in her heart was her dog, “Tinker”.  She had a love for hummingbirds and wind chimes, a had an unconditional love for her family. 

Betty is survived and lovingly remembered by her children, Marilyn Crow of West Liberty, Gloria Henricksen of Davenport, Rollin Swailes of Muscatine, Jay Swailes of Illinois City and Rita (James) Taylor of Letts; her grandchildren, Meta Sosa, Tina Webb, John Crow, Ronnie (Jenna) Swailes, Amy Garcia, Candy (Densel) Terry, Cindy Jackson, Cassie Sellers, Debra Sparrow, Randy (Lydia) Swailes, Deana (Steve) German, Dewayne Maxson, Dustin (Lori) Maxson, Mellissa Dickess, April Sandavol, Heather (Nathanial) Mills, Bill Varnell, Jason Varnell, Christopher Swailes, Jason Warnstaff, ReMarla Young, Robert (Heidi) Taylor, RoJeana (Jason) Hudson, Robin Pugo, Jamie (Josh) Forbes and Jol Taylor; 97 great grandchildren; 60 great-great grandchildren and three on the way.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband; mother and father-in-law; sons, Ronnie and Randy; daughters, Donna and Joann; granddaughters, Janie and Stacey; grandsons, Stevie, Loren, Chad and Baby Miller; sister, Bernice and brother, Ralph.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Betty J. (Sell) Swailes, please visit our floral store.