Richard and Jeanette Swarts represented Osage City in the 2017 Osage County Fair Parade as Mr. and Mrs. Osage City. They said they feel very honored and appreciative and would like to thank the Chamber of Commerce for selecting them.
Mr. and Mrs. Osage City 2017 are Richard and Jeanette Swarts, (driven in a Corvette convertible by the Oglebys).
Richard has been a life-long resident of Osage City. After high school graduation, he attended Flint Hills Vo-Tech, studying automotive. He has held a variety of employment including DuPont, Buzz’s Automotive, co-owner of Buzz’s Automotive, and Kansas Department of Transportation. Upon retiring from KDOT, he now assists his brother-in-law with his farming operation.
Jeanette grew up in Burlingame and moved to Osage City after they got married. After high school graduation, she received a business-secretarial degree from Emporia State University. Retirement in 2012 concluded a combination 40 years of service with Hallmark Cards and Kansas State High School Activities Association. Jeanette has enjoyed supporting the community, where she has served on the school board for 12 years, recreation commission for 12 years, and treasurer for the Osage City Country Club. Jeanette continues and is enjoying the opportunity to serve Osage City as executive director for the Osage City Chamber of Commerce and Third Ward representative on the Osage City Council.
The couple is always looking for ways to improve and support the community. On June 28, they celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary. Together, Richard and Jeanette’s hobbies include attending car shows and traveling. They are active with the Twin Lakes Cruisers Car Group and organizing the annual Cruis’n and Cook’n Car Show. They enjoy spending time at The Lodge, in Branson, Mo., and attending Kansas State Football games as season ticket holders. They also enjoy spending time with their two sons, Shawn, Baker, Mont, and Ty and Jill, Shawnee, Kan., five grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and four step-great grandchildren.
See a list of past Mr. and Mrs. Osage City honorees and parade marshals here.