Genevieve "Jennie" Thora Swope

Funeral services are pending for Genevieve Swope, 104, who passed away peacefully at home Tue. Dec. 16, 2014. Pier Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. A full obituary will follow.

The Lusk Herald
December 24, 2014

Genevieve Thora (VanBlarcum) Swope passed away in peaceful sleep early morning December 16th, 2014 at her home in Lusk, Niobrara County, Wyoming. A resident of Niobrara County Wyoming for over 104 years Genevieve or Genny was born November 19th 1910 in Crawford, Nebraska to Claudia Alvin & Louie Mae (Sprague) VanBlarcum.

When Genevieve was 6 months old the family moved to their homestead in Wyoming, traveling in a buckboard wagon filled with building supplies. Genevieve along with her older sister Francis and younger brother Olin attended Pineknot School located near their homestead. She graduated from Lusk High School in 1930, then attended teachers college in Laramie, Wyoming, obtaining her teaching certificate. She taught at Larsen's and Hale's schools and one year at Pineknot School.

On March 9, 1935 Genevieve married Fay Arlene Swope, a neighbor whom had also homesteaded with his family in 1910. They worked ranches in the area until 1944, when they took over the responsibilities of the Swope Homestead. In 1968 Fay, Genevieve and Yvonne moved into Lusk where Genevieve took on café jobs as a cook and side cook working at North Side Café, South Side Café, Ranger Café, Coffee Cup, Ducks, and Fireside. She loved her work and took pride in what she did until she retired at the age of 90.

Fay & Genevieve had four daughters: Claudetta Mae Tollman, June Arlene Widick, Dolores Rose Mitchell, and Yvonne Fae Jensen, 18 Grandchildren, 45 Great Grandchildren, and 29 Great Great Grandchildren.

Genevieve was preceded in death by her husband Fay in 1970, Son-in-laws Eugene Hanzlik, Charles Widick, Dave Mitchell and Richard Tollman; Great Grandson Chandler Eugene Knight in 1992; Daughter June in 2006; and oldest Great Grandson Andrew Tollman in 2013.

This past summer Genevieve was excited and proud to be part of the Governor of Wyoming's recognition for the ranch's celebration of its 100th year of continual operation by her family.

Genevieve loved to play cards her main game being Pinochle, a pastime learned over the years living in a small community where neighbors would get together for work and play. She was still playing and won 1st and 2nd places in Pinochle marathons for many years. She was still winning at cribbage two days before she passed.

Funeral services were held at Pier Funeral Home in Lusk on Dec. 23, 2014. Memorials may be made to the Niobrara Senior Center, PO Box 928, Lusk, WY 82225.

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