Beth passed away Friday evening, Sept. 6, 2024, at her home in Fairmont. Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.

Elizabeth Land Switras was born Oct. 4, 1945, to Margaret Brennan Mulherin and Dr. Polk Sanders Land in Augusta, Georgia. Her birthplace had strong influence on her, as she was an avid golfer for the majority of her life. She was the second of seven children; she loved being from a big family.

Beth’s family moved to Columbus, Ga., where she attended Catholic school through high school. She attended Columbus College and Florida State University, earning her BSN in Nursing. She specialized in pediatrics.

While working as a registered nurse in Columbus, Ga., she appeared in The Nutcracker ballet at the Springer Opera House in December 1969. At a rehearsal, she noticed the stage manager brazenly smiling at her. It was then that she met the love of her life, Joseph Switras, who was an instructor at Fort Benning. They were married in June of 1970.

Upon Joe’s return from a tour in Vietnam, they lived in Illinois, Iowa and Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada before finding their home in Fairmont, Minn. in 1976. There they raised 4 active and challenging children who turned into rather fine adults, due in large part to Beth being their mother.

Beth taught in nursing programs in Georgia, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. Once she moved to Fairmont, she worked at the Fairmont Hospital and then Prairie Land Home Health Care. In the 1990s, she was a school nurse in Fairmont and the surrounding areas until her retirement in 2015.

Beth was devoted member of the community. She volunteered at the Salvation Army, was amember of the board for the Children’s Theater at the Fairmont Opera House and at STEP, and was active in PEO. A devout Catholic, she volunteered in many church activities at St. John Vianney, such as a Rite of Christian Initiation in Adults (RCIA) team member, and a CCD and confirmation teacher.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, Dr. Joseph Switras; children, Susan Switras (Carl) Meyer, Jes Switras, Annie (Shane Townsend) Duffey and Catherine (Craig) Dietz; grandchildren, Jordan and Bentley Duffey, Iris and Penelope Meyer, Caleb and Chloe Dietz; siblings, Peggy Smith, Steven Land, Michael (Lila) Land, Christopher (Nancy) Land and Kathy Oates, sister-in-law, Ann Land; many cherished nieces, nephews and so many friends.

She was preceded in death by her father; mother; brother, Frank Land; brother-in-law, Robert Smith; and sister-in-law, Susan Land. www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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