Dodge City - Lola "LaVera" Swank, 90, died January 21, 2014, at Manor of the Plains, Dodge City. She was born on October 10, 1923, at Spearville, KS the daughter of Uel Kenyon and Carrie (Moody) Rucker.

She graduated from Spearville High School in 1941.She married Clifford "Wendell" Swank on July 8, 1945 in Spearville, he preceded her in death on February 20, 2006. She graduated from Emporia Teachers College in 1944. Mrs. Swank was a teacher at the Dodge City Junior High School for thirty two years before retiring. She was very active in the Pairs and Squares Square Dance Club as well as the Home Extension Unit all of Dodge City. Mrs. Swank loved to travel and was very devoted to her grandchildren's activities. She was skilled at all types of arts and crafts.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Women all of Dodge City.

She is survived by a son Jim and wife Peggy Swank of Tampa, Florida; two daughters Susie and husband Kenny Rueb of Spearville; Deborah Swank and husband Joe Greitl of Topeka; two sisters Carrie Rucker of Dodge City and Lois McCaw of Winfield. She is also survived by ten grandchildren,seven great grandchildren, four step grandchildren and one step great great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Viola Schwantes, and two brothers Kenneth Rucker and Jess Rucker.

Funeral service will be held at Swaim Funeral Home on Saturday, January 25, 2014, at 11:00 AM with Rev. Lance Carrithers presiding. Burial will be held at a later date at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery in Ft. Dodge . Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Friday, January 24, 2014, from 12:00 to 8:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Manor of the Plains in care of the funeral home.