Jean (Swank) Northcutt, 84, formerly of Sully, passed away Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at Taylor House in Des Moines just prior to her 85th birthday. Family graveside service was held Wednesday, Oct, 27, at Chester Cemetery, Sully.
Norma Jean Swank was born Nov. 4, 1936, in Pella. She was an only child born to Jake and Albertha (De Joode) Swank. Her mother died when Jean was a very young girl. Her father was remarried to Martha De Joode and continued raising Jean in Pella. Jean graduated from Pella High School with the Class of 1954. July 21, 1956, she and Larry Duane Northcutt were united in marriage in Pella and to this union their only child, their daughter Kimberly Jo, was born on Jan. 6, 1957. Jean and Larry lived in Pella for a short time and then moved to the farm south of Sully where she assisted Larry with the chores of raising chickens. Larry, being the only son of Lowell and Maxice (Kruseman) Northcutt, continued to work the family farm while also driving truck. In 1974, Jean and Larry moved into Sully and owned and operated the local restaurant, and for many years, Jean drove a school bus for Lynnville-Sully School. They enjoyed traveling together, particularly on their Goldwing motorcycle, playing cards, and spending time with their grandchildren, Keisha and Zackary. Jean enjoyed cooking, cross stitching, tending to her many flowerbeds, and spending time with her great-grandchildren. Larry passed away June 20, 2011, and Jean continued living in Sully until making her residence at Grand Living Tower Place in West Des Moines in August 2021.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Kim Lewis, presently residing in Pella; her two grandchildren and their families: Keisha (Joe) Larson and their daughters Lily-age 15, Mia-age 9, and Ivy-age 6 of West Des Moines; Zack (Tiffany) Lewis and their daughter Raelin-age 1 of Sully; and two sisters-in-law Carolyn (Northcutt) Vonk of Sully and Charlotte (Northcutt) Norris of Norfolk, AR.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Northcutt; her parents, Albertha and Jake Swank, and her stepmother, Martha Swank; her parents-in-law, Lowell and Maxice Northcutt; and four brothers-in-laws.
