Donald L. Sween

Donald Sween, 83, passed away at home in Kansas City, KS on August 26, 2024. He spent his final afternoon surrounded by his wife, daughter, grandson, granddaughter-in-law, and great-grandsons.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, G.E. “Duke” Sween and Shirley Shafer Sween. He was born on March 13, 1941 in Coos Bay, OR and was raised in South Dakota. He graduated from Brandon High School and after a year of college, he enlisted in the army, where he was a Military Police stationed in Washington DC. He later returned to college and received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Augustana College in 1966.

Don and Nancy married on May 29, 1969. They relocated to BonnerSprings, KS in 1971, where they raised their daughter, and made their home until they eventually retired to Shawnee, KS.

Don had various jobs through the years, including social work, sales, management, drug counseling, security, and was the church planter and first pastor of the Church of Faith in Bonner Springs, KS. He was an avid reader who, for the majority of his life, kept a running tally of the total number of pages that he had read. He was a buyer and seller of collectible stamps, coins, autographs, comic books, and sports cards. He enjoyed bird watching, history, and traveling (especially following the Santa Fe Trail and visiting South Dakota). He had a lifelong interest in the stock market. Hewas a member of the Shawnee Reformed Presbyterian Church.

One of his favorite scriptures was James 1:2-4: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Don is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy, and his daughter Victoria, both of the home. He is also survived by his son-in-law Rik McCleary, of the home; his grandson Steven McCleary, granddaughter-in-law Toni McCleary, and great grandsons Caleb and Conner McCleary, all of Lawrence, KS; his brother Rick Sween of Alberton, MT; his sister Jann Merando of Valley Falls, KS; his brother-in-law Neill Patterson of Colorado Springs, CO; hisbrother-in-law and sister-in-law George and Rowena Ertel of Scottsdale, AZ; his cousin Tim Geiver of Sioux Falls, SD; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces, and great-great nephews! Don is also survived by Garrett, Vanessa, and Ava McCleary of Olathe, KS; Kenzie, Sam, Katie, and Tucker Urban of Bernard, IA; and Shelley, Mike, Benjamin, and Rebecca Baker of Argyle, TX.

As Don wrote in a letter after his father-in-law died, “a far better place awaits all of us who have faith in Jesus.”A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 3pm at the Shawnee Reformed Presbyterian Church, 6835 Pflumm Rd in Shawnee, KS. A cookie reception will follow.