Steven Dale 'Steve' Swartz, 68, Rush Center, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Locust Grove Village, La Crosse, Kansas.
Steve was born July 11, 1956, in La Crosse, Kansas, the son of Henry E. and Norma J. (Clark) Swartz of Alexander, Kansas. He was a lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas. He attended Alexander Grade School, Alexander, Kansas, and was a 1974 graduate of McCracken High School, McCracken, Kansas. He attended Dodge City Community College, Dodge City, Kansas, where he played football. He farmed, raised cattle and worked at the Larned State Hospital, Larned, Kansas, up until the time of his recent illness which led to his death.
Steve will be remembered for his love of hunting, his hunting dogs, and mules. He will also be remembered for his special bond with Loretta’s grandson, Tyson. Steve had a very tender heart for people. Many of his coworkers at Larned State Hospital expressed this in Facebook posts.
Survivors include: his sister, Patricia Johnson (Michael), Marquette, Kansas; his companion, Loretta Swartz, Rush Center, Kansas; Loretta’s daughter, Marla Heronema, Hays, Kansas; a large number of nephews and nieces; great nephews and nieces; and great great nephews and nieces; two brothers in law, Lyle Seltmann, Smyrna, Tennessee, and Ernest Bailey, Colorado Springs, Colorado; one sister in law, Louise Swartz, Alexander, Kansas; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Edward “Ed’ Swartz; three sisters, Dianna O’Brien, Cynthia Seltmann, and Susan Bailey; one brother in law, Stanley O’Brien; one nephew, Todd Seltmann; and one niece, Deborah Seltmann.
Memorial service will be Monday, April 21, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with Lyle Seltmann officiating. His final resting place will be in Alexander, Kansas, his childhood home. Inurnment will be in the Alexander Belle-Prairie Township Cemetery, Alexander, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers or plants, the family request memorials to Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Inc. (DSNWK).
Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.