Obituary: Barbara Swank
A memorial Service for Barb Swank, 74, of Lenox, Iowa will be held Friday, December 19, 2025 at the Lenox Presbyterian Church, at 11 a.m.. The visitation will be held Friday, December 19, 2025 at the Lenox Presbyterian Church from 10 a.m. until service time. Inurnment will be held at North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox. Memorials may be directed towards the Lenox Presbyterian Church in Barb’s honor. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.cummingsfamilyfuneralhome.com
Barbara Jean Swank passed away on Friday, December 12, 2025. Barb was born in Creston, IA on April 29, 1951 to Kenneth and Nina (Nelson) Schaffer. Barb graduated from Lenox High School in 1969. Merle and Barb united in marriage at the Lenox Christian Church in Lenox on October 3, 1969. Merle and Barb were blessed with three children: Kendra Lea, Kylene Kyleigh, and Kirk Eugene.
Merle and Barb lived in Lenox all their lives and raised their children in Lenox. Barb worked most of her life at Taylor Ridge Estates where she later retired due to health issues in May of 2015. Barb was a very hard worker and had compassion for those she cared for.
Barb was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Her family was her world. Barb is survived by her husband, Merle, daughter, Kendra (Seth), daughter, Kylene husband Cody, and son, Kirk. Along with her grandchildren, Kierstin Swank, Hunter Simpson, Dylan and wife Karla Simpson, Ashton Simpson, Dominic Gooch, and Kade Simpson and great grandchild, Maylani Hickman. Barb is also survived by a sister, Creola Riley, nephews, Kevin Riley, Kurt Riley, and Jason Riley, sister in laws, Betty Schaffer and Carolyn Wilson and husband Wayne, brother in law, Gary Swank, nephews Jim Schaffer and Greg Schaffer along with many other family and friends.
Proceeding Barb in death are her parents, Kenneth and Nina Schaffer, brother, Dean Schaffer, Dean’s children Jeffrey Allen and Debra, Creola’s husband, Richard and son, Phillip, and her husband’s parents, Raymond and Margaret Swank and brother in law, Donald Swank. Barb will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
The family wishes to thank everyone at Creston Specialty Care for the wonderful care they gave Barb. Memorials are to be directed to Lenox Presbyterian Church in Barb’s name.
