Lillian Rae (Tolle) Swain

   Lillian Rae Swain (Tolle), 87, died peacefully at home January 13, 2026. She loved Jehovah God and her family more than anything else…except maybe chocolate.

   Born to Glen and Lena Tolle March 17, 1938, she was the youngest 5 siblings. She attended school in Nashua, IA until the 9th grade and then moved to Riverside, CA, where she attended high school and had the privilege of playing the clarinet in the Rose Bowl parade with the band. Her young adult life was busy and blessed with 6 beautiful children. Jack Frakes father to Ranee and Susie, Dan Tyler father to Tim, Vivian, and Linda, Don Hunt father to Lewis Hunt. She had fun helping them excel in their various interests and talents, supporting them and always endeavoring to provide a positive example. Lillian was well known for being a hard worker, whether it be cooking, cleaning, decorating a cake, building a fence or managing her café, she could always turn nothing into something.

   On November 21, 1976, she dedicated her life to Jehovah God as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This brought much peace and happiness to her life as she looked forward to a beautiful hope for the future. She loved telling others about this hope and it inspired her to paint paradisiac scenes that we continue to enjoy today.

   On August 6, 1989, she married Russell Swain. They made a life together in Boone County, IA. They kept busy teaching the good news about God’s Kindgom, renovating kingdom halls, working on their own humble home, camping with friends and their dog, Reggie, and hosting treasure hunts for the family. In 2005, they moved to Newton, IA to be closer to family and continued to do the things they loved as health allowed.

   When Lillian wasn’t planning a foot race with you in paradise, she loved vegetable and flower gardening, painting, quilting, birdwatching, and watching a good football game with family. She will be missed for her love, faith, interest in others, appreciative spirit, sass, and fireball personality, but will always treasure the valuable lessons learned from her.

   Lillian leaves behind 5 children: Ranee Litterer, Tim (Sandy) Tyler, Vivian Tyler, Linda (Mike) Knowler, and Lewis Hunt; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and her sister, Nelda, along with many extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Lena Tolle; husband, Russell Swain; daughter, Susie Wedeking; granddaughters, Jennifer Tyler and Addalissa Wedeking; and great-granddaughter, Olivia Burton.

   A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Newton. A luncheon will follow at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton. Memorials to Lillian’s family can be left at either the service or luncheon (please make checks payable to Linda Knowler.

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