Emma Mae Swartz

On Saturday, March 4, 2023, Emma Mae (Kauffman) Swartz of Kansas City, MO, passed away at the age of 78. Emma was born to Dan and Katie Kauffman in Hutchinson, KS, on April 14, 1944. Emma graduated from Goshen College in 1967 with a BA in Elementary Education. She married Keith Swartz on August 19, 1967, in Cherry Box, MO.

Emma taught school in Texas for three years before moving with Keith to Onward, IN. There they served for six years at the Sangralea Valley Boys' Home, including one year as house parents for twelve boys. After four years in Hesston, KS, they moved with their young family to Harrisonville, MO, in 1979. Emma was employed for 15 years at Harrisonville Christian School - 10 years as a teacher and five years as Principal. She retired from teaching in 2007. She was a member of Harrisonville Community Church for 40 years. While there, she taught Sunday School (children and adults), led women's Bible studies, mentored young women, participated in prayer ministries, and led/taught Vacation Bible School. Since moving to Kansas City in 2019, Emma was a member of Colonial Presbyterian Church.

Emma was a relentless encourager, generous hostess, faithful woman of prayer, and diligent worker. She loved God's creation, spending hours in her garden and watching birds. She loved God’s word - reading it, writing it down for loved ones, and sharing it with others. Emma treasured relationships and welcomed many into her home for good food, games, and laughter. She loved well and was well loved.  She was a faithful wife and mother, steadily and gracefully working to provide a home that met the needs of her husband and children.  Emma embodied humility and service, putting her family first in the often mundane and tedious labor of running a household, cheering the home with her presence and setting a worthy example for her children and grandchildren to follow.

Emma was preceded in death by both parents and twin infant siblings, Maynard and Alice. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Keith; four children; and ten grandchildren: Jennifer and Tom Bennett (Annika and Karis), Luke and Sheri Swartz (Quin and Sadie), Marla and Kevin Rusack (Kate, Ethan and Carson) and Beth and Eric Alm (Mesa, Jaden and Isaac); and five siblings: Larry (Debbie) Kauffman, John (Reen) Kauffman, Mar Mininger, Barb (Merle) Weber, and Dan (Shelley) Kauffman.

Visitation will be held Friday, June 2, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Harrisonville Community Church in Harrisonville, MO.  A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 3, at 1:00 p.m. at Colonial Presbyterian Church, 9500 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the PKD Foundation or to the Shiloh Center in Harrisonville and may be sent in care of Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.