Freeman Boysen Swift, the son of Russell F. and Aasta (Boysen) Swift was born in Harlan, Iowa on October 30, 1925. Freeman attended grade school and high school in Harlan, graduating in 1943. Following high school Freeman attended Iowa State University and Westminster College in Missouri, where he joined the U.S. Navy. Following service on the U.S.S. Cronin in the Philippines during World War II, Freeman returned to Iowa where he graduated from the University of Iowa with a law degree in 1950.
On February 16, 1952, Freeman married Virginia Mae McLaughlin of Des Moines, Iowa. The couple lived in Des Moines until 1962 when they moved to Edina, Minnesota. After practicing law for a short time, Freeman pursued a career as an insurance claims adjuster with Allstate Insurance Company, from where he retired. Virginia died on January 20, 2002, in Edina and due to poor health, Freeman relocated to Des Moines in 2004.
While at Westminster College Freeman pledged Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and remained a member until his death. He enjoyed collecting books, was an avid history and Civil War buff, and had a passion for genealogy. He and Virginia studied both his and her family history and kept meticulous records. Freeman was an Iowa Hawkeye fan who liked fishing, camping, and hockey. He was known to his friends and family as an intelligent, warm, kind and generous man.
Freeman B. Swift died on Saturday, September 22, 2007, following a long and debilitating illness, at the Ramsey Village in Des Moines, Iowa, having reached the age of 81 years, 10 months and 23 days.
Freeman was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Virginia Swift; brother, Russell A.; and sister, Nancy Onnen. He is survived by his daughter Becky of Des Moines; son Mike of Florida; sister Cynthia (Bill) Murphy of Okoboji, Iowa; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 25, 2007, at the Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, with Father Glenn Rankin officiating. Father Rankin also served as the organist. Family and friends served as casket bearers. Freeman was interred at the Harlan Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Central Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements.