Helen P. Swisher, 85, of Hiawatha, KS, formerly of Seneca, died Saturday, March 1, 2003, at a Hiawatha care home. She had been a resident there since the spring of 2001.

She was born January 28, 1918, at Havelock, NE, the daughter of Leonard and Georgia Rowland Lair. When she was a child the family moved to Bayard, NE, where she graduated from high school in 1935. Following graduation, she and her family lived in Los Angeles, CA.

On December 15, 1937, she married Jack Swisher in Los Angeles. They later moved to Topeka where she worked at Stormont-Vail Hospital. She trained as a nurse and graduated with honors in the LPN program at Stormont-Vail Hospital in the late 1950s. In 1967 they moved to Seneca, where they opened the Sears Store and catalog business. She was also employed at the Seneca Hospital in surgery, as well as often working nights.

Helen was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church in Topeka. She was a member of the Seneca Business & Professional Women’s Club. She attended many Legion baseball games while her husband was coaching. Swisher Field in Seneca is named after him.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jack on April 30, 1996; and a great-granddaughter, Abby Ellner on April 27, 1992.

Survivors are two daughters, Barbara Wood of Hiawatha and Janice Kessler of Boonville, MO; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Private inurnment services will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be given for the American Legion Baseball Program or the Alzheimers Association, and sent in care of the family.

Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca is in charge of arrangements.