Patsy Swailes

Patsy Yoshino Oshiro Morris Swailes, 94, of Dubuque, formerly of Belle Plaine and Tama, died peacefully on November 9, at Bethany Home. Patsy was born on January 5, 1931, in Wahiawa, Territory of Hawaii, the daughter of Chozun and Matsuru Oshiro. She attended local schools and graduated in 1949 from Leilehua High School in Wahiawa. She attended Queens School of Nursing, graduating in 1953. After working one year at Queens, she joined the U.S. Army Nursing Corps as a registered nurse. She attained the rank of First Lieutenant before being discharged with honor. Patsy met Benjamin P. Morris III, originally of Long Branch, New Jersey, at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Aurora, CO. In 1955, they married in Iowa City, Iowa. There, she worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital. Patsy and Ben later moved to Tama, where they continued to be avid Hawkeye fans. They raised six children in Tama and later moved to Belle Plaine. Sadly, Ben died in 1991 at the age of 60. In 1996, Patsy married Harold J. Swailes, of Belle Plaine. They had many happy years until his death in 2011.

Patsy leaves her six children: Lisa (Neil) MacNaughton, of Rosemount, MN; Benjamin Morris IV, of Da Nang, Vietnam; Laurel Morris, of Dubuque; Eric Morris, of De Soto, WI; Goro (Mayra) Morris, of Techac Puerto, Mexico; and Maria Morris, of Dubuque. Also surviving Patsy are her stepsons: John (Cheri) Swailes, Don (Cheryl) Swailes and Tom (Nancy) Swailes. Her beloved grandchildren are: Andrew (Dani) MacNaughton, Hannah MacNaughton, Benjamin (Olivia) Morris V, Madison Morris, Livia Schutz, Amelia Benham and Race Benham; and step-grandchildren on the Swailes side – Mike, Bonnie, Amy, Jean, Mary, Patrick, Molly and Amanda. Patsy was the longest living of her siblings, Choko Oshiro, Robert Oshiro, Richard Oshiro, Dot Arita and Phyllis Tanaka.

A memorial service and burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be given to Bethany Home in Dubuque for the loving care they gave Patsy in her final years. Online condolences for Patsy's family may be left at www.tristatecremationcenter.com