Janiel Brown Swore was born in Malad, Idaho, to Leo and Leora Brown on May 30, 1951. She grew up with four older brothers on the Brown family farm about five miles west of Malad in Pleasantview. Janiel graduated from Malad High School in 1969, and from Ricks College in 1971 with an Associate Degree in Business. 

In the spring of 1972, she met the love of her life, Jerry Swore, and they were married on Sept. 16, 1972 at the Pleasantview Ward Chapel next to the Brown family farm. Shortly thereafter, Jerry’s employment took them to Ballston Spa, New York, where they welcomed their first son, Michael, in 1973. In 1974 they moved back to Pocatello to be closer to both of their families. Over the next nine years, they welcomed three more children: Christie, Scott, and Jeffery. Janiel was blessed to be able to stay at home raising her children when they were young. As a family, they cherished many beloved pets including cats, dogs and other farm animals. 

Janiel was capable, talented and exceptional in all she did. She was an accomplished pianist, a skilled seamstress, a hard worker, an inspirational teacher, and an exceptional cook—especially known for her buttermilk waffles, homemade chicken noodle soup, twice baked potatoes, and
zucchini surprise.

Always in the service of others, Janiel was patient and kind to everyone she loved. As an active member of her church, Janiel served in many capacities including chorister, and multiple primary and Relief Society positions. She also volunteered extensively with Cub Scouts and at Tyhee Elementary.

Janiel worked in the library at Gate City Elementary in Pocatello for more than 20 years and came out of retirement to continue her librarian work at Fort Hall Elementary. She was passionate about sharing her love of stories with children and often thrift-shopped to buy students’ favorite books with her own money so kids could have a copy of their very own. She LOVED to shop and always knew where to find the best deals. She often blessed her loved ones with her bargain finds!

She loved her family fiercely and during the last 25 years she welcomed each of her 17 grandchildren with great joy. Janiel always kept her grandkids entertained at family gatherings with activities, crafts, treats, puzzles and board games. She encouraged them to develop their personal interests and talents, and attended most of their events. They treasured spending time with her.

A farm girl at heart, she was a fixture at Swore Farms, cooking sweet corn at the farmers market, decorating the fairy forest at the corn maze, and welcoming Trafalgar tour groups from all over
the world.

Janiel had many lifelong friends she stayed in touch with, including family members from Malad and Pleasantview. She frequently ran into friends, colleagues and students who loved her from Gate City and Fort Hall Elementary schools, and it made her day! It often took her an hour to buy a gallon of milk because she always ran into a familiar face and took time to visit with them.

During their marriage of more than 50 years, Jerry and Janiel shared a love of concerts, classic cars, camping, attending fairs, thrift shopping, antiquing, working on their son’s farm, listening to music, going out to eat, and spending time with their family.

Janiel was surrounded by her family when she slipped into her Heavenly Fathers arms, reuniting with her parents and other dear family members the evening of March 5, 2024. She was loved and treasured and will be dearly missed. 

She is survived by her husband, Jerry Swore; her children, Michael (Wendy) Swore, Christie (Moses) Collier, Scott (Rashell) Swore, Jeffery (Courtney) Swore; her grandchildren, Deanna (Parker), Thomas, Matthew, Mary, William, Sam, Zoe, Jacie, Caimbree, Ellie, Scott Jr., Emily, Shelby, Steven, Alaina, Annie, Everly. Two brothers, James (Dawn) Brown and Boyd (Shirlene) Brown, and her sister-in-law
Jeanne Brown.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Leora Brown, and two brothers, Dennis (Laurie) Brown and Roy (Jeanne) Brown.

A viewing will be held Thursday, March 14, 2025 from 6-8 p.m. at Wilks Funeral Home in Chubbuck. On Friday, March 15, a viewing will be held at the Fort Hall Ward Church from 9:30-10:45 a.m., with funeral services to follow at 11 a.m. See wilksfuneralhome.com for additional details. 

If desired, donations in leu of flowers can be made to her mother’s foundation founded in 2013 at Oneida County Long Term Care: “Leora’s Lovely Lads and Lassies Fund. This fund was established to supplement Medicaid’s Personal Needs Allowance (PNA), which is intended to cover a resident’s personal expenses (which in the state of Idaho is only $40 per month) for things such as haircuts, toiletries, makeup, vitamins, clothing, shoes, books, magazines, personal snacks, etc. (https://www.medicaidplanningassistance.org/personal-needs-allowance/)  Funds may be transferred online, under program and filling in “Leora’s Lovely Lads and Lassies” and may be dedicated in the name of Leora Brown and in memory of Janiel Brown Swore or by mailing a check payable to Oneida County Hospital c/o Kathy Hubbard at Oneida Hospital 150 N 200 W, Malad, ID 83202 designating the same
information above.