Jean D Swanson

Jean D. Swanson was born November 2, 1939 in Omaha to Lewis and Nellie (Hultgren) Wollen and spent the early years of her life in Elk City. Her family purchased land north of Valley and +moved there to farm and raise dairy cattle. Jean graduated from Valley High School and went to work at Mutual of Omaha until she met and married Larry L. Swanson on June 21, 1958 in Arlington, Nebraska. In 1959, Jean and Larry became members of First Presbyterian Church in Wahoo where Jean was a member of the Presbyterian Women's Group and taught Sunday School. She served several years on the Board of Deacons and Elders. Jean was active in the lives of her four children in many ways including her 10-year role as Assistant 4-H Leader of Happy Horse and Halter Club. She made sure her children had swim lessons which were missing from her own childhood due to the fear, at that time, of contracting polio from pools. Jean accompanied her children to dance lessons, sporting events, and concerts, and shared with them her love of horses and rodeo events. She was a longtime member of the Wahoo Saddle Club and held a Gold Committee Card in the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association and was a Gold Card Member of the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association. She and Larry were Grand Marshals of the Saunders County Fair Parade in 1993. Throughout her life, Jean was always busy working with her hands. She was a longtime member of Crazy Quilters and the China Painters Club. She entered many of the items she created in the Saunders County Fair. She shared her artistic talents with the Saunders County Amusement Association by helping to paint all the animals for the first carousel purchased by the group. Despite her many activities, Jean's most cherished memories were made during times spent with her family and friends. She will be missed by her husband of more than 60 years, Larry Swanson of Colon; her children Diane (Bill) Fromm of LaBelle FL, Lisa (Kelly) Egle of Lincoln, Russell (Amy) Swanson of Lathrop MO, Roger (Anne) Swanson of Colon; her brother Tom (Valerie) Wollen of Elkhorn; grandchildren Katie (Carmine) DiMartino, Tim Fromm, Cody (Andrea) Egle, Lane Egle, Sarah Swanson, Jessica Swanson and Caden Swanson; and her great-grandchildren Zoe and Quinn Egle. Jean was preceded in death by her parents; sister Rosalie Escobedo; and grandson William Christopher Fromm. Serving as Casket Bearers will be Don Clark, Allen Slama, Bob Thorson, John Wollen, Joe Nadrchal and Casey Engdahl. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Janet Behrens, Kathy Cherovsky, Burt Kndusen, Gerald Gates and Bill Lindholm Memorials may be given to First Presbyterian Church or Wahoo Senior Citizen's Center.