Vyrle Violet Swift was born on a farm north of Lucas, South Dakota, on June 12, 1922. She was the oldest of six children born to Loren and Marie (Livingston) Swift. She attended rural schools in the Lucas area and graduated from Lucas High School in 1940. After earning a teaching certificate from Springfield Normal School, she taught in rural schools in the Lucas area for five years.

George Johnson (of Lucas) and Vyrle began their seventy years of married life together on April 9, 1944. During their fifty one years on the farm they worked together and reared five children. She returned to her teaching career during that time and also wrote the Title 1 program for the Burke-Lucas School District for twenty-five years. They moved to Gregory in 1995 following her retirement from the school system.

Vyrle accepted Jesus as her Savior as a young teen and lived her life serving Him. She was a member of the Lucas Baptist Church and devoted her entire life to ministry. She used her God ?given abilities as a Sunday School teacher, deaconess, church clerk, Camp Judson scholarship coordinator, teacher of church membership classes, and held various offices through the Mary and Martha. Her desire was for everyone to have a personal relationship with Jesus realizing that He is the only way to heaven.

Vyrle is survived by her husband, George, of Gregory, SD; her five children, Sharon and husband, Robert Cooper, of Rapid City, SD; Jerry and wife, Brenda, of New London, MN; Myron and wife, Carol, of Burke, SD; Jim and wife, Diane, of Brandon, SD; and Steve and wife, Karla, of Burke, SD; fourteen grandchildren, and thirty-two great grandchildren. She is survived by two sisters, Delores Carey of Des Moines, IA, and Luella Christensen of Montevideo, MN; two sisters-in-law, Marjorie Swift of Philip, SD, and Verlene Swift of Rochester, MN; and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Howard (in childhood), Calvin, and Kenny.

Those who knew Vyrle will remember her for many things. An incomplete list includes: faith in God, love for family, perseverance through physical struggles, positive attitude of smiles and encouraging words, concern for students, creativity in writing poetry, gracious attitude to all, and hospitality and home cooking.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 9, 2015 at 10:30 AM at the Union Baptist Church in Burke, SD. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. There will be a prayer service on Sunday at 7 pm at the Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to both services at the Church.