Donald Lee Sweem

Don, age 93, passed away after a life devoted to family, faith, medicine, and service. The Celebration of Don’s Life will be at 2:00 p.m. on September 26, 2026, at Edgewater of West Des Moines. Visitation and Fellowship will directly follow the Celebration of Life.

Don was born at home in Attica, Iowa, on December 10, 1932, Don was the son of Myrtle E. Harvey and Clarence J. Sweem and the youngest of ten children. He grew up on the family farm, where he learned the values of hard work, responsibility, and perseverance that would guide him throughout his life.

Don graduated from Attica High School, earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Drake University in 1954, and received his medical degree from the University of Iowa in 1958. While attending medical school, he met the love of his life, Carol Bortz. They married on June 22, 1958, beginning a partnership that would span sixty-five years.

Following his internship at Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines, Don entered the United States Air Force and served as a General Medical Officer at Yokota Air Force Base in Japan from 1959 to 1961. The experience broadened his horizons and fostered a lifelong love of travel and adventure for both Don and Carol.

After returning to Iowa, Don practiced family medicine in Belmond before pursuing additional training in anesthesiology at the University of Iowa. Upon completing his residency in 1967, he joined Medical Center Anesthesiology in Des Moines, where he built a distinguished career primarily at Mercy Hospital. He helped establish Mercy's Heart Program, served as President of the Medical Staff, was active in numerous professional organizations, and held leadership positions including President of the Polk County Medical Society and the Iowa Society of Anesthesiologists. He also served as Chief of Staff at Mercy Hospital and as a delegate to the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

Don loved his profession and believed that God guided his life and worked through his hands as a physician and anesthesiologist. He touched many lives with his kindness, compassion, and care. His Christian faith remained a cornerstone throughout his life. He enjoyed golf, tennis, swimming, fishing, travel, cards, skiing in Keystone and fellowship with friends. Yet his greatest joy was his family, whom he loved deeply and supported wholeheartedly.

Don and Carol were blessed with three children: Cyndi Miller (Jim), Steve Sweem (Sue), and Lori Stevenson (Chad); 10 grandchildren, Brian Miller (Tonya), Matt Miller, Andy Stevenson (Sarah), Molly Stevenson, Cari Stubbs (Trey), Ryan Stevenson, Daniel Miller, Tyler Sweem (Bailey), Kristin Sweem (Mark), and Alexander Sweem; and 5 great-grandchildren: James and Olivia Miller, Calvin, Niall and Willow Stubbs.

Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife of sixty-five years, Carol; his grandson, Alexander Sweem; his brothers Billy, Charles, Robert, Junior, and Harvey; and his sisters Francis Harvey and Mabel.

Don never forgot his farm roots, his Iowa values, or the importance of faith, family, and service. His legacy lives on through the countless patients he cared for, the family he loved, and the example he set for all who knew him.

"I always feel the presence of God and know God is watching over me. I have always felt that God is working through my hands and that God is guiding me.“