LaVONA D. (GRAY) SWANSON
LaVona Delaine (Gray) Swanson was born on October 3, 1923, in Loretto, Nebraska. She was the youngest of four children of Charles and Lovina Ann (Anna Enterline) Gray. She attended country school at Crowhill northwest of Douglas, Nebraska. She stayed with her aunt Belle May Gray while attending high school in Eagle, Nebraska. While there, she worked as a telephone switchboard operator out of their home.
She met Albert Swanson in July 1941 at the Sterling picnic. While Albert was home on leave from the Navy in December of 1944, they were married in Seneca, Kansas. They were blessed with six children: Lonnie, Luan, Sue, Kenneth, Larry, and Kevin. Albert and LaVona raised their children on a farm between Johnson and Tecumseh.
Albert passed away in November 1991, and she stayed on the farm until 1994 when she moved to Johnson. During her years in Johnson, she was active in the First United Methodist Church. She also volunteered for the Johnson Rag, and enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events. Albert and LaVona firmly believed “happiness is being a grandparent.”
Her home was very important to her, and she was fortunate to be able to stay there until her final days. She passed away peacefully on April 28, 2021 at the age of 97 years, 6 months, and 25 days. She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Anna Gray, brother Rolfe Gray, sisters Eva (Gray) French and Elaine (Gray) Jacobson, husband Albert Swanson, sons-in-law Charlie Bantz and Andy Anderson, and daughter-in-law Stephanie Swanson.
She is survived by her children and their spouses Lonnie (Marilyn) Swanson of Johnson, Luan (Ray) Metzner of David City, Sue Anderson of Johnson, Ken (Barb) Swanson of Auburn, Larry (Judy) Swanson of Wahoo, Kevin Swanson of Syracuse; grandsons Jason (Karma) Swanson, Ben Swanson, Clint (Kristine) Swanson, Ryan (Sommer) Knippelmeyer, Kaleb Swanson, Wade Swanson; granddaughters Kim (Justin) Yates, Koki (Kim) Martini, Kerri Bantz (Jason McCauley), Misy (Terry) Fulton, Heather (Justin) Seeba, Traci Bloss, Quincey Swanson; step-grandchildren Kenny Holmes, Matthew Holmes, Douglas Holmes, Scott (Jill) Anderson, Russ (Brenda) Anderson, Kristi (Scott) Swancutt; great-grandchildren Gavin Swanson, Grayson Yates, Jesse McCauley (Hunter Heckert), Jacob McCauley, Eva and Knox Knippelmeyer, Libby, Colter, Brianna, Sofia, Isabelle, Nina, Kelby, and Vaeda Fulton, Allie Swanson and Wes Swanson, Olivia, Ella, Blake, and Anna Swanson, Claire, Logan, and Stella Seeba, Hayden and Harper Bloss; great-great grandchild Henley Heckert; sister-in-law Dorothy Johnson of Wahoo, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A funeral service was held Monday, May 3, 2021, at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn, officiated by Rev. Larry Tolen. Grandsons served as casket bearers and granddaughters, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild were honorary bearers. Burial followed in Park Hill Cemetery at Syracuse.
Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.
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