Barbara A. Swor

Barbara A. Swor, 77, of Carleton passed away at Trinity Health Hospital in Ann Arbor on June 11, 2026.

Born Barbara Ann Kreps on December 2, 1948, in Toledo, Ohio, to Merle and Helen (Miller) Kreps. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthews Church in Monroe, Michigan. Barbara was an active member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Ida, Michigan serving in WELCA and the prayer shawl ministry. She will lie-in-state on Friday June 19, 2026, from 10AM until the services at 12PM, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Ida, MI. Pastor Aaron Werner will officiate. Burial will be at Lulu Cemetery, Ida, MI.

Barbara graduated from Ida High School in 1967. After graduation, Barbara moved to Ann Arbor and trained as a dental hygienist at the University of Michigan Dental School. She would later work for Dr. Harvey Behner, Orthodontics in Toledo, Ohio and later at Dr. Daniel Cousineau Orthodontics in Monroe, Michigan. Another favorite job of Barbara’s was working at Elder Beerman as a salesperson in Monroe. There she was able to see on a daily basis her other loves: china and crystal.

After leaving the dental field she and her husband started TVS Storage & Rigging Company where Barbara would drive an escort vehicle for the large loads and also assisted with the office work.

Barbara enjoyed knitting her whole life. Her knitting included hats for babies in the hospital, prayer shawls for those in need, and numerous beautiful gifts for friends and family. Her creations would win awards in the Woman’s Building at the Monroe County Fair. Sewing was also something she excelled on and that began in her early years in 4-H. She would go on to win a trip to DC for her excellence on her 4-H sewing projects. Barbara made many quilts. If you would visit her, you’d have to maneuver around the large quilting rack that she kept up in the living room because of the many quilts she’d be working on. Barbara had a love for gardening too. You would find her in the late summer outside grinding up tomatoes for spaghetti sauce often with the assistance of her parents and children. This tradition was passed down through generations and continues at her home today.  She also enjoyed spending time with family and friends and especially her grandkids.

Barbara married Thomas Swor on May 19, 1977, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They would return to Carleton to begin building their home on family farmland. Together they had three children, Dionne, Sara, and Tommy.

Barbara is survived by her husband and children, grandchildren: Vivian Myrtie Kelly, Waylon Verble Kelly, and Wyatt Merle Kelly. Siblings William (Heidi) Kreps and Karen (Martin) Kuhl.  She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents (Merle and Helen Kreps) and in-laws (Verble and Eva Swor) and a niece (Jenna Kuhl).

Memorial contributions can be made to: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.