In Memory Of
Lois Maxine Swanson
1925
2017
Lois Maxine Swanson
June 6, 1925 — March 22, 2017
Lois M. Swanson, 91, passed away March 22, 2017 at Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Olathe, Kansas.
Lois was born on June 6, 1925 in Kansas City, Missouri to Dr. Carl A.B. and Helen Peterson Swanson. She grew up in Savonburg, KS and moved to the Axtell area in 1943 when her father became the Pastor at Salem Lutheran Church. She graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois with a degree in sociology. She returned to the Axtell area after graduation, teaching in Beattie High School for one year. She enjoyed keeping up with those students all her life.
On June 30, 1948 Lois and Stanley Swanson were united in marriage at Salem Lutheran Church. They made their home and raised their family on a farm walking distance from the church. Church was a vital part of their life as Lois was the church organist for nearly 30 years, accompanied choir, community cantata and many weddings and funerals in the area. She also was active in other areas of the church and made life-long friends there.
In 1965 she began her 20-year career as a social worker with the Social & Rehabilitation Services in Marshall and Nemaha Counties. Her favorite part of the job was working with adoptions. She made many good friends among her co-workers in Marysville and Seneca.
She enjoyed reading, sewing, playing the piano, playing cards and doing word games. She was a prolific letter writer. She was a champion ping pong player in college and even in her 80s she played with her grandchildren. She loved hostessing and visiting with family and friends.
After Stanley passed away in 1991 Lois continued living on the farm until moving to Olathe Towers in 2005. In 2015 she moved to the Good Samaritan Nursing Home.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley; an infant son; her parents, Dr. Carl A.B. & Helen Swanson; her parents-in-law, Arvid & Lydia Swanson; her sister, Eleanore Johnson; brothers-in-law: Lloyd Swanson, Lawrence White, Michael Vasti, Lyle Johnson and Lloyd Polson.
She is survived by her four children: Barbara (Elton) Craig, Olathe, KS; Carolyn (Roy) Mitchell, Topeka, KS; Nancy Swanson, Olathe, KS and Jeffrey (Jane) Swanson, Naknek, AK; sister, Delores Polson; sisters-in-law: Lillian Vasti. Elaine White and brother-in-law Wesley (Jean) Swanson; grandchildren: Erin (Derek) Vaughn, Robyn Craig, Lindsey Craig, Cory (Grace) Mitchell, Nic (Emily) Mitchell, Kelly Mitchell, Emily (Peter) Krumsieg, Josiah Swanson, Daniel (Helen) Swanson, Hannah (John) Lee, Hope Swanson and Abigail Swanson; eight great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and close friends.
Memorial service will be held at Salem Lutheran Church, rural Axtell, Kansas on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
Memorials may be designated to Samaritan's Purse and the Twin Valley Developmental Services.
To leave a special message for her family or to share a memory of Lois, please click on the "Share Memories" tab above or scroll down below.
Lois was born on June 6, 1925 in Kansas City, Missouri to Dr. Carl A.B. and Helen Peterson Swanson. She grew up in Savonburg, KS and moved to the Axtell area in 1943 when her father became the Pastor at Salem Lutheran Church. She graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois with a degree in sociology. She returned to the Axtell area after graduation, teaching in Beattie High School for one year. She enjoyed keeping up with those students all her life.
On June 30, 1948 Lois and Stanley Swanson were united in marriage at Salem Lutheran Church. They made their home and raised their family on a farm walking distance from the church. Church was a vital part of their life as Lois was the church organist for nearly 30 years, accompanied choir, community cantata and many weddings and funerals in the area. She also was active in other areas of the church and made life-long friends there.
In 1965 she began her 20-year career as a social worker with the Social & Rehabilitation Services in Marshall and Nemaha Counties. Her favorite part of the job was working with adoptions. She made many good friends among her co-workers in Marysville and Seneca.
She enjoyed reading, sewing, playing the piano, playing cards and doing word games. She was a prolific letter writer. She was a champion ping pong player in college and even in her 80s she played with her grandchildren. She loved hostessing and visiting with family and friends.
After Stanley passed away in 1991 Lois continued living on the farm until moving to Olathe Towers in 2005. In 2015 she moved to the Good Samaritan Nursing Home.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley; an infant son; her parents, Dr. Carl A.B. & Helen Swanson; her parents-in-law, Arvid & Lydia Swanson; her sister, Eleanore Johnson; brothers-in-law: Lloyd Swanson, Lawrence White, Michael Vasti, Lyle Johnson and Lloyd Polson.
She is survived by her four children: Barbara (Elton) Craig, Olathe, KS; Carolyn (Roy) Mitchell, Topeka, KS; Nancy Swanson, Olathe, KS and Jeffrey (Jane) Swanson, Naknek, AK; sister, Delores Polson; sisters-in-law: Lillian Vasti. Elaine White and brother-in-law Wesley (Jean) Swanson; grandchildren: Erin (Derek) Vaughn, Robyn Craig, Lindsey Craig, Cory (Grace) Mitchell, Nic (Emily) Mitchell, Kelly Mitchell, Emily (Peter) Krumsieg, Josiah Swanson, Daniel (Helen) Swanson, Hannah (John) Lee, Hope Swanson and Abigail Swanson; eight great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and close friends.
Memorial service will be held at Salem Lutheran Church, rural Axtell, Kansas on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
Memorials may be designated to Samaritan's Purse and the Twin Valley Developmental Services.
To leave a special message for her family or to share a memory of Lois, please click on the "Share Memories" tab above or scroll down below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lois Maxine Swanson, please visit our flower store.
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