Ida B. Swank

Ida Barbara Swank

Ida Barbara Swank, 96, Topeka, died Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at Homestead of Topeka. She and her twin, Ruth Elizabeth, were born August 13, 1918, at Lone Star, the daughters of Andrew Elmer and Florence Lenore (Cole) Metsker.

She attended grade school at Colyer School located on the Metsker family farm. She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1936. She was employed as a housekeeper-nanny in Lawrence before being employed as a clerk at the Kansas Department of Revenue in Topeka. From 1965 to 1983, she was employed as clerk-secretary for U.S.D. 340 in Meriden.

Ida was married to Glenn Howard Swank on November 11, 1944, at First Christian Church, Topeka. They farmed at Meriden before moving to Topeka in 2006. Glenn preceded her in death on July 11, 2012.

She was a member of the Meriden United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and was auditor. She was a member of the Meriden Kiwanis Club where she served as treasurer. She was an avid K.U. Basketball fan and loved to cook.

Surviving are her children: Warren Swank (Kathy) of Meriden, Gregg Swank (Sherri) of Plano, TX, Deborah Swank of Topeka, and Paul Swank (Brenda Bauman) of Topeka; grandchildren: Nathan and Aaron; Thomas and Jennifer; and Leah, Hannah, Joseph, and Rebekah. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, John; and sister, Ruth Josefiak.

Private interment will be in Meriden Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 23, 2015, at Meriden United Methodist Church.

Ida will lie in state after 3:00 PM, Friday, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Avenue, Topeka, where the family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Meriden United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 520, Meriden, KS 66512 or Grace Hospice, 3715 SW 29th, Ste. 100, Topeka, KS 66614.