Loretta Swarthout, 82, of Mitchell, South Dakota, finished her earthly work Monday, May 31, under hospice care at Firesteel Healthcare Center, in Mitchell. A visitation was Sunday, June 6, at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Burial was at Evanston City Cemetery in Evanston. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.
Loretta Swarthout was born Jan. 30, 1939, in Winnebago, Nebraska, to Fred and Marie (Wagner) Vavra. She moved with her family to a farm north of Presho, South Dakota, where she attended country school with her 10 siblings. Loretta started her X-ray technician career in Pierre, South Dakota, and worked in radiology departments in Gettysburg, South Dakota; Chamberlain, South Dakota; and Evanston. She moved to Mitchell in 2012 to help manage Lake Mitchell Campground. Loretta’s interests included hunting, canning and music.
Loretta is survived by her sons, Eddie (Brenda) Skinner of Grand Forks, North Dakota; Loren (Suzanne) Skinner of Mitchell, South Dakota; and stepson, Steve (Jenny) Swarthout of Beatrice, Nebraska; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Marie Brodrecht, Yvonne Ehlers, Kathryn Eichstadt — all of Presho, South Dakota — and Alva Johnson of Minneapolis; and brother, Lyle (Lorraine) Vavra of Westminster, California.
Loretta was preceded in death by her parents; son, Scott Skinner; stepson, Mark Swarthout; two stepgrandsons; and five brothers: Sonny, Lowell, Ilo, Ben and Richard.
