Judith Ann (Apland) Swartz

Judith Ann Swartz, 85 of Iowa Falls, Iowa passed away peacefully on Monday, February 8, 2021. at Heritage Care Center in Iowa Falls, Iowa, after her battle with cancer. The family is holding a visitation on Saturday February 13, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at Linn’s Funeral Home Chapel 1521 Washington Ave, Iowa Falls, Iowa with a Scripture Service and Rosary at 2:00 p.m. The visitation and service will require that masks be worn and physical distancing guidelines be observed. There will be a private burial on Monday. In lieu of flowers those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial gift to St. Mark Catholic Church 415 Main St., Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126 or Greenbelt Humane Society 319 River St., Iowa Falls, IA 50126. Cards may be directed to the family: Judy Swartz Memorial, ℅ Linn’s Funeral Home, 1521 Washington Ave, Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126.

Judy was born July 12, 1935, to LaVal and Katherine "Gladys" (Kennelly) Apland in Mason City, Iowa. She had one younger sister, Nancy [Schwebke]. Growing up, Judy called herself a “tomboy” and loved playing ball, being outside, and playing with her dog.

Judy had a good earthly life, especially the nearly 60 years with her beloved husband John Lewis Swartz. They married on June 15, 1957, at the St. Mark Catholic Church in Iowa Falls, and had two children: David and Ann. Judy and John became the third generation owners of Swartz Drug in Iowa Falls, which was later known as Medicap Pharmacy, and eventually as Corner Pharmacy.

Early in their marriage, Judy worked at Citizen Bank. She later managed the books for the pharmacy and ran the Wagon Wheel, a card and gift shop in Iowa Falls.  John and Judy eventually sold the pharmacy to their daughter and son-in-law Ann and Rex Ford.

John and Judy enjoyed their cats, playing cards, camping in their RV, and time with their grandchildren. Judy’s passion was baseball and the Chicago Cubs in particular. Judy listened when you talked to her and remembered the stories you shared. She cared deeply and worried more about everyone else than herself.

Judy Swartz is survived by her daughter Ann [Rex] Ford of Iowa Falls; her son David [Brenda] Swartz of Chicago, Illinois and their two children, Haley and Gavin; her nieces and nephews Curt Schwebke, Steve [Karla] Schwebke, Lori Mortenson, and Sue Waldee; and John’s sister Frances  and husband William (Oz) Osmundson of Clear Lake, Iowa; her nieces and nephews: Anne, Mike, and Don Sondag and Brad, Bill, and Kurt Osmundson. She was preceded in death by her husband John Lewis Swartz; her parents LaVal and Katherine (Gladys) Apland; and her sister Nancy Schwebke and husband Kenneth Schwebke.