I have not been the best about staying in touch over the past year and a half.
My Grandma directly told me that I could write a letter now and then so I am going to start blogging again and then send via mail the updates to Grandma. Additionally, my sister-in-law does an incredible job with her blog and Paul's family keeps asking when we are going to update our blog --so we have succumbed to the pressure :) Now if I can get Paul to write some posts.
So exciting that I can change the name of the address and update remotely. I have to catch up on the new blog developments.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Dad's Obituary
David Swier of Hartford, SD
Published: September 03, 2008
Hartford - David Neil Swier, 57, of Hartford, died Monday, September 1, 2008, at his home.
David was born April 4, 1951 to Neil and Henrietta (Burgers) Swier of Colton, South Dakota. David married Cynthia (Stockland) on October 24, 1974 in Wakonda, South Dakota. Dave and Cindy raised five children, and the family has enjoyed many wonderful times together. Dave enjoyed taking vacations with the family and playing table games. Dave also was active in the church, helped people to become stronger in their faith, and had a heart for missions.
Dave and Cindy started DC Farm Supply, Inc. and ran the business for 34 years. Dave appreciated the challenges of working in an ever-changing agriculture community and the lasting friendships he made along the way.
After over seven years of bravely fighting cancer, Dave took his place in God´s heavenly home. His family accepts this news with hope, faith, and thankfulness, hope that Dave´s legacy will continue to impact others, faith that God knows best and Dave is now home and thankfulness that we were able to live, laugh, and create memories with the man who played such an important role in each of our lives.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother.
The family requests that memorials be sent to Focus on the Family.Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2008, at Central Baptist Church, Sioux Falls. Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the church, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Colton Cemetery, Colton, SD.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Till We Meet Again
Just a note to let you know that my Dad passed away yesterday afternoon.
He was at home surrounded by all of us kids and we were all able to say goodbye it was very peaceful.
We have had the most beautiful few weeks here with the family just spending time and organizing business close out operations. We spent last week shipping out over 20 semi loads of harvest equipment and tires for an auction that will be held on September 15. Dad and I were able to make most of the arrangements while he was still able to get around and communicate a week and a half ago. There were over 30 volunteers who came to help last week and sort inventory and load it. On Thursday Dad took a turn for the worse and there was standing room only in his room as we sang, cried and shared stories. It was an incredible experience and I have learned so much about my Dad in the past few weeks. Everyday has been filled with hosting the friends that have stopped by and dinners for 10-20 people. I have been working (and Paul) 14-15 hours a day for the past two weeks and we are physically and emotionally exhausted but are so glad that we are here.
He was at home surrounded by all of us kids and we were all able to say goodbye it was very peaceful.
We have had the most beautiful few weeks here with the family just spending time and organizing business close out operations. We spent last week shipping out over 20 semi loads of harvest equipment and tires for an auction that will be held on September 15. Dad and I were able to make most of the arrangements while he was still able to get around and communicate a week and a half ago. There were over 30 volunteers who came to help last week and sort inventory and load it. On Thursday Dad took a turn for the worse and there was standing room only in his room as we sang, cried and shared stories. It was an incredible experience and I have learned so much about my Dad in the past few weeks. Everyday has been filled with hosting the friends that have stopped by and dinners for 10-20 people. I have been working (and Paul) 14-15 hours a day for the past two weeks and we are physically and emotionally exhausted but are so glad that we are here.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
July Update
Thank you so much for all the prayers and support.
It has been a very busy and tiring time but I am so glad that we are able to be home with my Dad. My Dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer in mid June and has 3-6 months to live.
My employer has been incredibly supportive and I am taking FMLA leave for awhile so that I can spend all the time that I can with my Dad.
Paul is awaiting the start of the Nursing Program at UAA in 2009 so thankfully is able to be here with the family and with me. The last few months have been very challenging with everything that is going on with the family and I am so thankful for his support and positive can do attitude.
I flew to SD at the very end of June and then Paul flew in a couple of days later so that the entire family was together for a trip that Dad wanted to make while he still could. All ten of us left for Vegas so that we could see the Grand Canyon. On July 3rd, Dad went into the hospital in Vegas. He was released and we spent a quiet 4th together at a house that we had rented in Vegas. Then on the 5th he took a turn for the worse and was put into the hospital. The cancer has spread into his bones and the hospital in Vegas was not very good. We were scared that he would not make it out. We looked at getting him medevaced to Mayo Clinic but instead took a commercial flight that got us in sooner. After two days at Mayo clinic they were able to stabilize him and Paul, Mom and I flew back to Vegas with Dad in order to allow Dad to complete the mission of the trip--see the Grand Canyon. We were able to all take a helicopter tour of the western side of the canyon and land in the canyon and hike around. It was incredible.
It has been a very busy and tiring time but I am so glad that we are able to be home with my Dad. My Dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer in mid June and has 3-6 months to live.
My employer has been incredibly supportive and I am taking FMLA leave for awhile so that I can spend all the time that I can with my Dad.
Paul is awaiting the start of the Nursing Program at UAA in 2009 so thankfully is able to be here with the family and with me. The last few months have been very challenging with everything that is going on with the family and I am so thankful for his support and positive can do attitude.
I flew to SD at the very end of June and then Paul flew in a couple of days later so that the entire family was together for a trip that Dad wanted to make while he still could. All ten of us left for Vegas so that we could see the Grand Canyon. On July 3rd, Dad went into the hospital in Vegas. He was released and we spent a quiet 4th together at a house that we had rented in Vegas. Then on the 5th he took a turn for the worse and was put into the hospital. The cancer has spread into his bones and the hospital in Vegas was not very good. We were scared that he would not make it out. We looked at getting him medevaced to Mayo Clinic but instead took a commercial flight that got us in sooner. After two days at Mayo clinic they were able to stabilize him and Paul, Mom and I flew back to Vegas with Dad in order to allow Dad to complete the mission of the trip--see the Grand Canyon. We were able to all take a helicopter tour of the western side of the canyon and land in the canyon and hike around. It was incredible.
Dad was very sick though through the trip. It was so nice to fly back into Sioux Falls on Sunday and be somewhere we knew the hospitals and if possible recover from "vacation". Dad went right from the airport to Sanford Hospital and is hoping to be released today or tomorrow.
Paul and I will be returning to AK the last week of July so that I can work and Paul can move our stuff (our landlord is selling our condo). We will be coming back to SD then for ???.
The cancer is moving much faster than expected, and the family is hoping to just be able to spend as much time with dad as possible.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
A Book for Dave
Dear Family and Friends,
Many of you have heard the unfortunate news that after seven plus years of fighting cancer, our beloved family member, Dave Swier, has decided that it is time to let the cancer take its course and prepare to take his place in God’s heavenly home. We accept this news with hope, faith, and thankfulness: hope that miraculous things will happen; faith that God knows best regardless of the final outcome; and thankfulness that we have more time to spend living, laughing, and creating memories with the man who has played such an important role in each of our lives.
Much laughter and happiness is derived from the recollection of old memories and from the discovery of new stories about a loved one. Our family asks that you share in this laughter and happiness with us by contributing a favorite memory or memories you have about Dave. We plan on combining all of these stories and snippets into a book that will be printed both as a gift for Dave and a cherished collection for the family. We will be printing the book in the middle of August and are therefore asking that you send us your responses before August 8. If you have any pictures or other things that you think would make a nice contribution to the book please send us a copy of those as well.
Each of you has been important in our lives and has made a rich contribution to Dave’s life. We appreciate all that you have done for us and are thankful for your continual prayers and support.
Sincerely,
The Swier Family
Many of you have heard the unfortunate news that after seven plus years of fighting cancer, our beloved family member, Dave Swier, has decided that it is time to let the cancer take its course and prepare to take his place in God’s heavenly home. We accept this news with hope, faith, and thankfulness: hope that miraculous things will happen; faith that God knows best regardless of the final outcome; and thankfulness that we have more time to spend living, laughing, and creating memories with the man who has played such an important role in each of our lives.
Much laughter and happiness is derived from the recollection of old memories and from the discovery of new stories about a loved one. Our family asks that you share in this laughter and happiness with us by contributing a favorite memory or memories you have about Dave. We plan on combining all of these stories and snippets into a book that will be printed both as a gift for Dave and a cherished collection for the family. We will be printing the book in the middle of August and are therefore asking that you send us your responses before August 8. If you have any pictures or other things that you think would make a nice contribution to the book please send us a copy of those as well.
Each of you has been important in our lives and has made a rich contribution to Dave’s life. We appreciate all that you have done for us and are thankful for your continual prayers and support.
Sincerely,
The Swier Family
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Art Show at Kaladi Coffee
I brought my art to Kaladi Coffee for a show for the month of June. It was really exciting and pushed me to finish a lot of paintings that I had been working on.
The show was very successful and all but two sold. I would like to do something like this again. The down side is that my house looks so quiet with nothing on the walls.
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