Steven Swartos, 74, passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at United Living Community in Brookings, SD.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 6, at First Lutheran Church in Brookings, SD. Visitation will be held the night prior from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5, at Rude’s Funeral Home in Brookings. Rude’s Funeral Home will live-stream the Funeral Service at www.rudesfuneralhome.com website, you may click on the link above Steven’s obituary.
Steven Ray Swartos was born on March 1, 1950, in Volga, SD, the son of Gordon and Dorothy (Nelson) Swartos. Steve attended country school in Oslo Township and was a graduate of the Sioux Vally High School in 1968. He continued his education at Northern State College where he played football and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972. It was at Northern State College where he met his future wife, Cathy Purrington. Steve and Cathy had four children, Ann, Paul, Dan and Collin. Steve taught and coached at DeSmet High School. After teaching, he was employed in the dairy industry for nearly 40 years, retiring in 2016. He loved raising cattle, checking on them and bringing them treats nearly every day. After his retirement, he stayed busy and worked part-time at Hy Vee in Brookings for seven years. People who knew Steve called him “Swart” and Steve always said there were probably people in Volga who didn’t know his real name was Steve.
Steve is survived by his children, Ann Swartos, of Brookings, SD, Paul (Kelly) Swartos of Altoona, WI, Daniel (Maria) Swartos of Pierre, SD, Collin (Angela) Swartos of Elk Point, SD; 12 grandchildren, Bennett, Sydney, Andrew, Cambell, Jude, Alec, Titan, Beckett, Maverick, Kassie, Kaden and Karter; and his siblings, Dale (Wanda) Swartos of Volga, SD, Don (Brenda) Swartos of Volga, SD, Sheila (Dennis) Larson of Madison, SD, and Nancy Stuefen of Brookings, SD.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife (Cathy) who died June 29, 2015, and one brother Terry.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to the SDSU Foundation in his name.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.
