Mary Jean (Barinsky) Swartout, 95 of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away quietly on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at the Good Samaritan Society of Le Mars.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 14, 2025 at St. John Lutheran Church, Preston Township, rural Akron, Iowa. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Sunday, July 13, 2025 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars, Iowa. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Mary Jean Ten Napel was born on April 29, 1930 to H.E. 'Harm' and Mary (Borgman) Ten Napel on the farm near Maurice, Iowa. Mary was the youngest of 9 children and a twin to Margaret Arlene. Her family lived on 'the farm' until Mary and Arlene went to high school and then about that time, the family moved into Ireton. Mary was a graduate of Ireton High School, Class of 1947.

In December of 1948 she married John Barinsky Jr. at the home of the bride's parents in Ireton. To this union five children were born: Douglas, Barbara, Gregory, Mark, and Sandra. The family farmed near Ireton before moving to a farm near McNally until Johnnie's untimely death in 1978. Mary then moved to Le Mars where she continued her employment with JC Penny in Le Mars. It was during her time in Le Mars that she met a wonderful man, Raymond Swartout and they married in 1979. Ray and Mary wintered at Trophy Gardens in Texas for a number of years until Ray passed away in 2006. Mary continued going to Texas for several more years, making many friends over the years. While in Texas, she crocheted hundreds of stocking caps for the needy.

Mary was an avid crafter and sewer, but her real passion was quilting, making many beautiful quilts for every family member. She hand crocheted receiving blankets for every grandchild and great grandchild, and she also made them for the Floyd Valley Gift Shop. When she gave up quilting, she began crocheting potholders. Everyone received more potholders than they could ever use! Mary couldn't read a sewing pattern, but she could look at something and recreate it. She was a talented and loving person who always loved to be on the go!

Remaining to cherish her memory are her four children: Doug (Carolyn) Barinsky, Barb (John) Brandau, Mark (Glenda) Barinsky, and Sandy (Mark) Borchers; and step children: Rose (Ron) Barman, Fran Truitt, and Rick Swartout. She was blessed with 25 precious grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren who will cherish their memories of their grandma forever. She also leaves behind a brother in law, Lester Janssen; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands: John (1978) and Ray (2006); son, Greg (2020); three brothers: Lawrence, Edwin, and Robert in infancy; five sisters: Nelvina Zink, Bernice DeVries, Esther Wells, Mildred VanDonge, and her twin sister, Arlene Reuter; step daughters: Carolin (Earl) Boettcher and Judy Swartout; step son, Phil Huff; parents in law, John Sr. and Clara Barinsky; and sisters in law: Lola (Roy) Kaelke and Lois Janssen.

The family would like to thank the staff at Good Samaritan Society for their wonderful care the last three years and a special 'thank you' to Mary's earthly angel, Julie Pottebaum, for her endless attention and love shown to Mary over several years.