Ila Swartz

Ila Ellingson Swartz was born on August 1, 1919 to Arthur and Merlie (Summers) Ellingson in Kansas City, Missouri. When she was two weeks old, her family moved to a farm south west of Republic, Kansas. At age four the family moved into town and she has lived there since. Ila attended the Republic schools graduating from Republic High School. Ila loved sports and enjoyed participating in them. She attended Kansas Wesleyan college and received her Normal Training Certificate. Ila taught for five and a half years in rural Republic County and another three years in the Republic Grade School. On June 19 ^th , 1943 she married Harold “Shorty” Swartz they had one son, Harold Kent. She helped at the Republic Oil Company doing the book work. She was a faithful member of the Methodist church and taught Sunday School for many years. She was also a member of the Legion Auxiliary, HDU, and the Library Club. She had a great love of reading, craft working and sewing. Ila really enjoyed the winter trips to Texas that Shorty and she would take annually. Ila passed from this life Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at the Belleville Health Care Center having celebrated her 94 ^th birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband "Shorty" in 1986; two brothers; a sister; a brother-in-law; daughter-in-law Cynthia Swartz and her parents Ralph & Judy Kueker. She will be forever remembered by her son Harold Kent Swartz and Betsy Reed; grandchildren Dr. Nicole Cowley, husband Dr. Ben and their children Olivia and Benjamin III, Ryan Swartz, wife Amy and their children Rowan and Remy, and Brad Swartz; several nieces and nephews; and a community of friends.

VISITATION & VIEWING:

Thursday noon to 8:00pm; Friday 9:00am to 8:00pm; family greeting friends Friday 6pm to 8pm