Michael Steven Swalm went home to Jesus in the early morning hours of November 12, 2024 while sleeping. Known to everyone as Mike, he was born September 21, 1949 to Frank and Esther Swalm in Starkville, MS.
At 18 Mike met the love of his life, Jan who was 15 at the time. They married on November 26, 1971. They were two weeks shy celebrating their 53rd wedding anniversary when he died. Together they lived life first in San Antonio, TX and then moved to Lawrence, KS.
Mike was an avid photographer, reader, and jokester; lover of the Lord God and a fierce protector of his family. Over the years he loved his working days in bookstores but nothing compared to the time he spent with family near and far.
Mike is survived by his wife, Jan; his daughters, Chrissie Swalm and Jami Baldwin and her husband Scott; grandchildren, Elliot Johnson, Nora Walburn, Ramble Swalm, Mazzie Swalm, and Henry Wertin III; and siblings and spouses, Chris and Renee Swalm, David and Kathy Swalm, Elizabeth Swalm, and Beth and Matt Pudas. In addition he is survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Mike is predeceased by his son, Peter; his parents, Frank and Esther Swalm; and brother, John.
Services will be held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS, Friday, December 6, 12:00 noon. A drop in celebration of life will be held following the service at the Swalm home from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
We love you and will miss you. Condolences to Jan, Christie, Jamie, grandkids and other family.
Rest in peace, Mike. You will be greatly missed
My condolences to Mike’s family on his passing. I am forever grateful for the friendship and respect he always showed me in the years I worked at the Burge Union bookstore. He was one of the kindest bosses I ever had!
On behalf of Jami,
Services are scheduled for this Friday December 6th 12pm, at Corpus Christi Church in Lawrence.
She wants to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. She is a bit overwhelmed at this time.
Jan, Chrissie and Jamie: We’ve been thinking of all of you since we heard of Mike’s passing. You continue in our prayers for God’s comfort and guidance, and JOY in Him Who loves Mike and each of you.
Jan, Chrissie, and Jamie, we love you very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Mike in his journey.
I enjoyed working with Mike at the Jayhawk Bookstore back in the 1990’s. We appreciated his knowledge, kindness, and servant leadership. Wishing comfort and peace to his family.
I worked with Michael at the Jayhawk bookstore years ago and found him to be a wonderful person. My condolences to family and friends.
Michael was a wonderful person who took very good care of a lot of folks that worked at Jayhawk Bookstore once upon a time. Sending my deepest sympathy to his family and friends–prayers or comfort, strength, and hope—this is not goodbye–Godspeed, Mike.