Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Hope United Methodist Church in Marshalltown, IA. Funeral services will follow at 1:30 p.m. Interment will be immediately after the services, at Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown. The family asks that all memorials be directed to one of three entities: Hope United Methodist Church, Marshalltown Lions Club or Friendship Manor.

Karl E. Swessinger was born on December 13, 1937, in Boone, IA, to Edmond and Eva (Barger) Swessinger. During his youth, they moved to Marshalltown, IA, where Karl graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1959. On October 13, 1962, he married Nancy Lou Buchmueller, of Barnesville, MN, in a ceremony officiated by her father and uncles, all ordained ministers. Karl was an employee of L.E. Meyers Company. He and Nancy were charter members of Hope United Methodist Church. Until his move to assisted living in 2022, Karl was active in his church, serving in many leadership roles (lay leader, trustee, choir member and more). When his boys were young, Karl was also volunteered for the local flag football program and the Boy Scouts. You could also find him many Wednesday nights at the local Lions Club meetings, or popping popcorn for them on Saturday mornings. His favorite hobby, after retirement, was his garden railroad and being a member of the Central Iowa Garden Railroad Society. Some of his trains now run at the Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island, IL.

Karl is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nancy; son: Mark (Tamara Baugh) Swessinger; son: David (Thanh) Swessinger; daughter: Jane (Raymond Stadt); grandchildren: Courtney, Thomas, Andrew, Emily (great grandson Jared), and Jacob; step-grandchildren: Khai and An; grandpups: Annie, Aria, Baloo and Oliver. He is also survived by his younger brother, Tom Swessinger. His extended family of survivors includes several in-laws, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Karl is preceded in death by his parents, Edmond and Eva, and his older brother James.