Sally McKim

Sally Irene (Swisher) McKim, age 89, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025, in Ames, Iowa.

Sally was born on August 22, 1935, in Bemidji, Minnesota, to Harold and Alice Swisher. A 1953 graduate of Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Illinois, Sally went on to pursue her passion for nursing at Boston City Hospital, where she earned her Registered Nursing certification in 1956.

In 1957, Sally moved to Ann Arbor to continue her education at the University of Michigan while also working at the university hospital. Her career then took her to Montreal, Quebec, where she worked in the neurological unit of a hospital, followed by a move to Charlottesville, Virginia, where she served at the University of Virginia Hospital through 1963. Sally eventually moved to Iowa City in 1964 and worked at the University of Iowa Hospital, where she met and later married the love of her life, Roger Kendall McKim on January 29, 1965, at the First Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant.

The majority of Sally’s nursing career was spent at the Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute, where she worked with dedication and compassion until her retirement. Her commitment to care and service extended beyond her profession and into her community.

Sally was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Mount Pleasant (now Remnant Church), where she actively participated in the women’s circle and mission work. Her faith was a guiding force throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger McKim; her daughter, Marilyn Hite; sisters Alice Swisher, Pat (Cleo) Robieson, and Verdith Byrne; brothers Harold Swisher, Gaylord Swisher, George Swisher, and John Swisher; sons-in-law Bryce Hofstad and Dudley Allison; and grandson, Casey Allison.

Sally is survived by her children: Martha Gatlin (Perry) of Ottumwa, Iowa; Ruth Allison of Charleston, South Carolina; William McKim (Michelle) of Ames, Iowa; and Michael McKim (Kerri) of Spirit Lake, Iowa. She is also lovingly remembered by her 14 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Sally's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant. Burial will follow in the Forest Home Cemetery. Visitation will be held 1:00 until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon’s or the Fellowship Cup of Mount Pleasant. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Sally and her family.