Gwendolyn Lou Swisher

Gwendolyn was the first daughter of Kenneth and Helen (Williams) Baker. Some call her Gwen or Gwennie, but most people knew her as Oma, the woman who would never say “no” to dessert, especially ice cream. Oma had many loves in her life, the greatest three of which were God, her family, and the arts. She had a keen eye for fashion, interior decorating, and visual art. If music was playing, she couldn't help but to dance to it. For many years, she studied and played piano, often singing in her soothing alto voice. Her Grandma Kocheiser was instrumental in her love for movies, especially musicals and the water dancing of Esther Williams. Likewise, her Aunt Nina instilled a love for theatre and reading.
Though she truly loved these things, they paled in comparison to her love for the Lord and her family. Thomas “Tom” Swisher (1931-2006) was her beloved husband and partner in raising
their three daughters, Pamela Fredericksen (Jeff), Jill Wolfe-Johnson (1957-2023), and Lori Eldred (Dennis). Those daughters gifted her with her treasured grandchildren, Jamie Hawkins (Wes), Natalie Courtney (Steve), Jason Eldred (Brandy), Christopher Hanusa (Carol), Andrew Hanusa (05/26/1984-06/03/1984), Mark Hanusa (Becky), Benjamin Hanusa (Pelenatita), Barbara Taylor (Austin), Amanda Crawley (Tyler), and Paul Fredericksen (Laura).
As the years passed and love grew, so did the family with many great-grandchildren: Abigail Hawkins, Aiden Hawkins, Mara Courtney, Hannah Courtney, Austin Boone, Michael Boone, Baylee Bowles, Mason Eldred, Ellie Hanusa, Annaleigh Hanusa, Faith Hanusa, Drew Hanusa, Luke Hanusa, Lizzie Hanusa, Joel Hanusa, Malia Hanusa, Silas Hanusa, Jax Taylor, Luna Taylor, Sadie Westmoreland, Lydia Westmoreland, Rowan Crawley, and Zachary Fredericksen.
Her remaining siblings, Bruce Baker, Bill Houghton, and Betsy Haddad (George), along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family members, will join her descendants in cherishing memories of a dear woman who loved them all.
While our hearts break to be here without her, we rejoice in knowing that she is with her Savior in His kingdom. What a great reunion it must be for her to be with Opa and other loved ones again! We look forward to seeing her again one day, but will continue her loving legacy in the meantime, living according to God's will! How grateful we are to have been blessed to know and
love Oma. Soli Deo gloria!

A Garaveside service will be held on Thursday July 24, 2025 at 1:00PM at Hopewell Community Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Medi Home Hospice.

Online condolences may be made at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Swisher family.

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