Dr. Barbara Jean Kirkpatrick Lips, 79, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at The Views of Marion.
Barbara was born in 1947, the daughter of John Lowry Kirkpatrick and Dorothy Vivian Kirkpatrick. She was married to Paul Swearingen of Marion, Iowa.
Barbara earned her bachelor’s degree from Macalester College, where she attended on scholarship. She completed her master’s degree at Iowa State University in Ames and earned her PhD in Psychology from the University of Missouri. A licensed psychologist, Barbara began her professional practice in Maquoketa, Iowa, before moving to Marion, where she continued her career with Family Psychology in Cedar Rapids. She also served as an Iowa State Examiner for psychologists.
Barbara was an avid cyclist and completed RAGBRAI, Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, in approximately 2008. She and Paul shared a love of vintage MG automobiles and enjoyed a close friendship with another couple who shared their enthusiasm for these classic cars. Their outings and picnics often included friendly seed-spitting contests, an activity at which Barbara was particularly skilled. She frequently emerged as the winner and was even known to launch a seed from their car into another car traveling ahead of them.
Barbara was a loving and caring person whose concern for others extended well beyond her professional practice. Her years as a psychologist reflected a genuine desire to help people, and she carried that same compassion into her friendships. When close friends faced debilitating medical conditions, Barbara willingly shared her knowledge, offered counsel, and provided understanding and encouragement during difficult times.
Barbara also had a sharp wit and a wonderful sense of humor. During one professional staff meeting, a member of management declared that there was nothing he couldn’t do. Without missing a beat, Barbara replied, “I bet you can’t dribble a football.” It was typical of her quick wit and her ability to find humor in unexpected places.
She was also a devoted cat lover and shared her life with many cats, including Charlie, Buddy, Blossom, Maxi, and BabyDoll.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents: John Lowry and Dorothy Vivian Kirkpatrick; her brother: Woody John Kirkpatrick; and her brother-in-law: Wendall Hahn.
Barbara is survived by her husband: Paul Swearingen of Marion, Iowa; her son: Scott Lips, and his wife, Holly, of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; her stepsons: Luke Swearingen of Marion, and Bill Swearingen of Kansas City, Missouri; five step-grandchildren; and her sisters: Margaret Elizabeth Hahn of Coralville, Anna Dorothy Lutman and her husband, Bill, of Roach, Missouri, Lexie Kirkpatrick of Iowa City, and Connie Lee Nordstrom and her husband, Fred, of Polk City, Iowa; and her sister-in-law: Ruth Potter of Carthage, Missouri; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements are being coordinated through Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services. Details of a service honoring Barbara’s wishes will be announced at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (www.lbda.org) in memory of Dr. Barbara Jean Lips.
The family extends sincere appreciation to the palliative care team at St. Luke’s Hospital, the hospice care teams at Suncrest Hospice and Mercy Hospital, and the dedicated staff of The Views of Marion for their compassionate care and support throughout Barbara’s illness.
