Mary "Becky" Swasand

Mary “Becky” Swasand, 87, of Ackley, passed away Friday, November 3, 2023 at her Ackley residence, under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice. Woodley Funeral Home and Crematory of Iowa Falls is caring for Becky and her family. Mary Rebecca “Becky” (Rucker) Swasand was born on February 18, 1936 in Rutledge, Tennessee. She passed away in her Ackley home on November 3, 2023. Becky was raised on a Centennial farm in East Tennessee. She graduated from the University of Tennessee. She married Richard “Doc” Swasand and after a short stent in Southern California during Doc’s military service, the couple settled in Ackley, Iowa. Becky worked at Ackley-Geneva High School as a home economics teacher until the first of their three kids (Flint ’63, Berri ’65, Brad ’68) was born. Becky was determined to raise her children to be independent and while she spent the next decades working in Doc’s office, at Hunt’s sorting corn and in the lab at the Ackley canning plant, her main focus was aways supporting her kids and encouraging them to try new things. She did the usual, helping with paper routes and leading Cub Scouts, but she also paddled a week in the Boundry Waters and attended an Alice Cooper concert. She hosted a French dinner and read Poe on request. She hunted arrowheads, followed New York fashion and rode her own motorcycle to Sturgis in the late 70’s. Becky saw the world with the eye of an artist and could see the beauty in the smoothness of a bean field or the color of plants in the prairie. She created art throughout her life, dappling in painting, pottery, even photography. She inked the early art work for Prairie Bridges and appreciated the beautiful metal art in the new Tri-pole Tower. She loved chocolate and preferred dark beer. She liked chili any time of the year. She was thankful for the laughter of the ladies in her morning coffee group and at the Legion on Friday night. She provided a safe place for stray animals and welcomed teenagers saying, “I’ll just add more water to the soup.” Becky, my mom, was much more than anyone knew. She taught me the value of so many things- beauty and kindness and curiosity. She was unique and for that alone, I feel blessed. Becky Swasand is survived by her daughter, Berri (spouse Dana) and kids, Brant, Ellese, Chloe and Abby; grandchildren, Coraline, Serina and Kavik; son, Brad (spouse Lori). She was preceded in death by her husband, Doc Swasand and oldest son Flint. No services are planned at this time. Instead remember Becky by trying something new or donating to an animal shelter.

Tributes

Mary "Becky" Swasand

February 18, 1936 - November 3, 2023