Veda Lucille Swank Post was born June 20, 1918 at the country family
home, six miles south of Gaylord, KS in Osborne County. She was the
eighth child and youngest daughter of E.C. (Ted) and Nellie Atkinson
Swank, and the last surviving member of that family of four daughters
and five sons. She died January 8, 2021 at the age of 102.
She attended Hackberry Country Elementary school and graduated from
Harlan High School in 1936. Lucille graduated Salina Beauty Academy on
July 8, 1957. She was united in marriage to William (Bill) Post in 1941.
They enjoyed one year together when, at that time, he volunteered for
the Air Force in World War II. During that three-year period, Lucille
spent time with him at several bases. While they were stationed at Yuma,
AZ their only child, Phillip, was born.
In her childhood, she faithfully attended Lawrence Creek Church with her
parents and siblings. After her marriage, and Bill’s return from
service, they made their home east of Bellaire for a number years where
they farmed and also began the business of Post Construction. In 1968
they bought a home in Smith Center where they lived until 2003 when they
made a move to Ulysses, KS to be near their son and family for health
reasons. Bill died February 5, 2003 just one month after the move. They
were given the gift of having had 62 years of a wonderful life together.
Lucille was a member of the Methodist Church at Smith Center, and spent
many hours working at the Hardly Used Shop. She was a hard worker,
always at the side of her loving husband, giving a helping hand. She and
son, Phillip, took care of most of the farming operation, giving Bill
the time he needed to devote to the construction work, Phillip also
helping a lot with that. No sacrifice seemed too great to her when it
involved being of assistance.
A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Lucille
lived through some of the country’s best and worst times, including the
Great Depression and Dust Bowls. She was small in stature but she took
care of livestock, worked in fields, cooked and delivered meals at
harvest time, not uncommon to see her driving grain trucks into town.
She was interested in political and national events, living through the
country’s political evolutions.
She was adamantly proud of her family and their accomplishments. Her
aspiration was to be a good example. She watched and encouraged them to
reach their goals, have high hopes, faith, and never stop short.
Lucille and Bill’s favorite pastime was square dancing and round
dancing, traveling extensively, and making friends in several states as
well as their home community. She was best known and loved for her
devotion to her family, and in her final time she was surrounded by
their love and care. A great influence in her life was the love,
prayers, and guidance of her strong, faith believing little mother, and
her father’s example of honesty, integrity, discipline, and hard work.
If Lucille were to send a message today, it would be to treasure every
moment with your family and serve the Lord with all your heart.
Preceding her in death, parents Ted and Nellie Swank, husband William
(Bill) Post, five brothers Lawrence (Casey) Swank, Paul Swank, Kenneth
Swank, Harvey (Bill) Swank, and Lorraine (Pete) Swank; three sisters Ida
Colwell, Harriet Hays, and Eudora Martin. Left to cherish her memories,
son Phillip Post and wife Linda, granddaughter Jan Stejskal, grandson
Cory Post, great grandsons Brendan and Bryson Stejskal all of Ulysses.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 12, 2021 from 10:00 AM until 11:00
AM at the United Methodist Church in Smith Center, Kansas. Graveside
Service will be held at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at Fairview
Cemetery in Smith Center, Kansas, with Jerry Lambert officiating.
Memorial contributions may be given to The United Methodist Church in
Smith Center, in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave.,
Ulysses, Kansas, 67880.