Jeanene Luvae Swanson
August 12th, 1932 - July 13th, 2023
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Jeanene's Obituary
Jeanene Luvae Swanson, 90, of Buchanan, MI passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2023. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swem Chapel – 301 W. Front St., Buchanan, MI.
Jeanene was born on August 12, 1932 in Chicago, IL to the late Frank and Mable (VanCamp) Swatek. On August 9, 1952 she married John Albert Swanson in Chicago; he preceded her in death on June 25, 1993.
Jeanene was the second child born to Mable and Frank Swatek, a pretty, and strong-willed baby girl with Czech, and Dutch roots. One older sister, Joanne, one younger brother, Chuck.
She met her husband, John (Jack), a boy with Swedish roots, at Fenger High School. Both loved swimming. Jack was the captain of the swim team and Jeanene became a skilled synchronized swimmer.
After high school, much to Jeanene’s surprise and disappointment, Jack enlisted in the Navy and so they chose to write letters to each other, every single day. She eventually convinced her parents to allow them to marry and wrote the news in a letter to Jack. They were married at the Church of the Mediator in Chicago with a reception at home. Their roots would play a huge part in the traditions and foods they would include in their new life together.
Their first 3 years were spent living with her parents where they welcomed their 1st child, Kirsti, until they could afford their first house in South Holland, IL. It was a new, post-war community full of young couples like themselves, just starting out. Soon they welcomed a 2nd daughter, Heidi, and then a 3rd, Jodi. Jeanene was a great stay at home mom and an asset to the new community.
In 1970, she and Jack bought an old house in Flossmoor. It was a project, a dream. They dove into renovating it with years of hard work and vision to preserve its charm. This home became a place for family and friends to gather and Jeanene welcomed the opportunity to decorate, cook, and host so many wonderful visits.
Jeanene was an artist who was trained in interior design, with confidence and skill to work on big projects never missing the chance to “fix” a hotel room or a friends’ house when she visited.
In the late 1970’s Jeanene began helping women learn how to beautifully care for their skin with Mary Kay. Earning the honor of being 13th in the nation in personal sales and later becoming a director. She touched the lives of so many women.
Church was important. She served on the Bishop’s Committee, the Vestry, helped build a new church in Dolton, brought her family every Sunday, and instilled a respect for God in all members of her family.
She was past President of the Flossmoor/Olympia Fields Business and Professional Women’s organization and did her best to improve opportunities for women.
PTA President, Picture Lady, she involved herself fully in helping affect direction in her children’s schools. She taught a lesson to every child that crossed her path, whether they wanted it or not, and demanded discipline/excellence of everyone.
A Girl Scout leader for years, she molded countless young women to have great values, enriched skills, the ability to make Girl Scout stew, sing in rounds, catch snipes, and have a respect for the earth.
Jeanene was an incredible swimmer, smoothly performing synchronized skills well into her 80’s, never missing the chance to teach another how to float or swim and love the water. Water was a place of great joy for her. Not much could keep her out of the pool, ocean, or lake.
Ski Club, canoe trips, and camping were part of her fun times with family and friends, some of whom have been part of her life since kindergarten. She and Jack truly knew how to find the joy and adventure in living each day fully and they’ve had the BEST friends.
In 1993 Jack became very sick. She was by his side staying as positive and optimistic as she could, until he passed, far too soon. Hearing her sing, “You are My Sunshine” never had so much meaning to us.
After that Jeanene began to live again with her mom, travelling back and forth between a new home in Buchanan, MI and her mom’s home in Pompano Beach, FL, helping her mom stay socially active through bridge games, and other activities until her passing at 105 years old.
For the last 15 years Jeanene lived between her house in Florida, Fuller’s, and her wing in Jodi and Mark’s home in Lowell, IN. She never stopped meeting and making new friends and cherishing the old as well as spoiling her grand dogs, cats, grandkids, & great granddaughter.
One of her special things to do was to go to the beach early and watch the sunrise, with a cup of coffee, four creams, one sugar and a towel. Sunrises were art in action.
Her final months have been spent at Kirsti and Mark’s home at Clear Lake where family has been visiting. Each Sunday she watched and listened to Heidi’s church, St. Mark’s in Geneva, IL. Always looking to see Heidi walk to her place in the choir, listening intently to the lessons, reciting the prayers she knew by heart, and singing along to the songs that were familiar.
The nurses from Hospice loved her positive attitude, her witty responses to their questions, and they all got a kick out of her mermaid colored nails and fashionable toe ring. She continued to make new friends and endear herself to each one she met.
A couple weeks ago, mom was no longer really talking. Kelsey yelled into the house, “Anyone in here?” and without missing a beat and with a good volume, this reply came out of our quiet mom, “I AM!!!!”
In a phrase, “Happy Day!” Jeanene’s life has held a passion for spreading joy. When asked how she was recently, her answer was always, “GREAT!” no matter what the circumstances.
She will be remembered for all the heart she shared, for her boldness, and for the standards she left for us to make sure to appreciate life and take time to value and celebrate those we love.
As her time with us neared an end, she showed an incredible will to keep living with us, holding on far longer than any of the nurses imagined possible. She gave life her all and thankfully left with an expression of peace on her face with her family beside her.
Jeanene truly marched with purpose to the beat of her own drum every single day of her life on earth. We pray that she is now being welcomed joyfully into heaven with that same beautiful spirit.
She is dearly missed.
Jeanene is survived by her three daughters – Kirsti (Mark) Dykstra of Buchanan, Heidi Swanson of Batavia, IL and Jodi (Mark Bodie) Swanson of Lowell, IN; grandchildren – Kelsey Dykstra, Austin Dykstra and Hailey (Nathan) Bucholz; great granddaughter – Mable; brother – F. Charles (Bonnie) Swatek of Crete, IL. nephew-Martin (Janet) Merkt, nieces - Joanne Louise Cox, Margie (Steve) Mathews, Amy (Greg) Crouse. She is also preceded in death by a sister – Lola Joanne Merkt, and an honorary son in-law, Kim Gouker.
Visitation with the family is on Wednesday – July 19, from 4:00-7:00pm EST, at Swem Chapel in Buchanan. A Funeral and Celebration of Life Service will take place on Thursday – July 20, at 1:00pm CST, in Geneva, IL, at St. Mark’s Church – 320 Franklin Street, with Father Mark Tusken officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to help build a new playground in Jeanene’s name at Fuller’s to honor the joy Jeanene found in encouraging children (like her great granddaughter) and others to enjoy life with the same enthusiasm she did. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.swemchapel.com
Jeanene was born on August 12, 1932 in Chicago, IL to the late Frank and Mable (VanCamp) Swatek. On August 9, 1952 she married John Albert Swanson in Chicago; he preceded her in death on June 25, 1993.
Jeanene was the second child born to Mable and Frank Swatek, a pretty, and strong-willed baby girl with Czech, and Dutch roots. One older sister, Joanne, one younger brother, Chuck.
She met her husband, John (Jack), a boy with Swedish roots, at Fenger High School. Both loved swimming. Jack was the captain of the swim team and Jeanene became a skilled synchronized swimmer.
After high school, much to Jeanene’s surprise and disappointment, Jack enlisted in the Navy and so they chose to write letters to each other, every single day. She eventually convinced her parents to allow them to marry and wrote the news in a letter to Jack. They were married at the Church of the Mediator in Chicago with a reception at home. Their roots would play a huge part in the traditions and foods they would include in their new life together.
Their first 3 years were spent living with her parents where they welcomed their 1st child, Kirsti, until they could afford their first house in South Holland, IL. It was a new, post-war community full of young couples like themselves, just starting out. Soon they welcomed a 2nd daughter, Heidi, and then a 3rd, Jodi. Jeanene was a great stay at home mom and an asset to the new community.
In 1970, she and Jack bought an old house in Flossmoor. It was a project, a dream. They dove into renovating it with years of hard work and vision to preserve its charm. This home became a place for family and friends to gather and Jeanene welcomed the opportunity to decorate, cook, and host so many wonderful visits.
Jeanene was an artist who was trained in interior design, with confidence and skill to work on big projects never missing the chance to “fix” a hotel room or a friends’ house when she visited.
In the late 1970’s Jeanene began helping women learn how to beautifully care for their skin with Mary Kay. Earning the honor of being 13th in the nation in personal sales and later becoming a director. She touched the lives of so many women.
Church was important. She served on the Bishop’s Committee, the Vestry, helped build a new church in Dolton, brought her family every Sunday, and instilled a respect for God in all members of her family.
She was past President of the Flossmoor/Olympia Fields Business and Professional Women’s organization and did her best to improve opportunities for women.
PTA President, Picture Lady, she involved herself fully in helping affect direction in her children’s schools. She taught a lesson to every child that crossed her path, whether they wanted it or not, and demanded discipline/excellence of everyone.
A Girl Scout leader for years, she molded countless young women to have great values, enriched skills, the ability to make Girl Scout stew, sing in rounds, catch snipes, and have a respect for the earth.
Jeanene was an incredible swimmer, smoothly performing synchronized skills well into her 80’s, never missing the chance to teach another how to float or swim and love the water. Water was a place of great joy for her. Not much could keep her out of the pool, ocean, or lake.
Ski Club, canoe trips, and camping were part of her fun times with family and friends, some of whom have been part of her life since kindergarten. She and Jack truly knew how to find the joy and adventure in living each day fully and they’ve had the BEST friends.
In 1993 Jack became very sick. She was by his side staying as positive and optimistic as she could, until he passed, far too soon. Hearing her sing, “You are My Sunshine” never had so much meaning to us.
After that Jeanene began to live again with her mom, travelling back and forth between a new home in Buchanan, MI and her mom’s home in Pompano Beach, FL, helping her mom stay socially active through bridge games, and other activities until her passing at 105 years old.
For the last 15 years Jeanene lived between her house in Florida, Fuller’s, and her wing in Jodi and Mark’s home in Lowell, IN. She never stopped meeting and making new friends and cherishing the old as well as spoiling her grand dogs, cats, grandkids, & great granddaughter.
One of her special things to do was to go to the beach early and watch the sunrise, with a cup of coffee, four creams, one sugar and a towel. Sunrises were art in action.
Her final months have been spent at Kirsti and Mark’s home at Clear Lake where family has been visiting. Each Sunday she watched and listened to Heidi’s church, St. Mark’s in Geneva, IL. Always looking to see Heidi walk to her place in the choir, listening intently to the lessons, reciting the prayers she knew by heart, and singing along to the songs that were familiar.
The nurses from Hospice loved her positive attitude, her witty responses to their questions, and they all got a kick out of her mermaid colored nails and fashionable toe ring. She continued to make new friends and endear herself to each one she met.
A couple weeks ago, mom was no longer really talking. Kelsey yelled into the house, “Anyone in here?” and without missing a beat and with a good volume, this reply came out of our quiet mom, “I AM!!!!”
In a phrase, “Happy Day!” Jeanene’s life has held a passion for spreading joy. When asked how she was recently, her answer was always, “GREAT!” no matter what the circumstances.
She will be remembered for all the heart she shared, for her boldness, and for the standards she left for us to make sure to appreciate life and take time to value and celebrate those we love.
As her time with us neared an end, she showed an incredible will to keep living with us, holding on far longer than any of the nurses imagined possible. She gave life her all and thankfully left with an expression of peace on her face with her family beside her.
Jeanene truly marched with purpose to the beat of her own drum every single day of her life on earth. We pray that she is now being welcomed joyfully into heaven with that same beautiful spirit.
She is dearly missed.
Jeanene is survived by her three daughters – Kirsti (Mark) Dykstra of Buchanan, Heidi Swanson of Batavia, IL and Jodi (Mark Bodie) Swanson of Lowell, IN; grandchildren – Kelsey Dykstra, Austin Dykstra and Hailey (Nathan) Bucholz; great granddaughter – Mable; brother – F. Charles (Bonnie) Swatek of Crete, IL. nephew-Martin (Janet) Merkt, nieces - Joanne Louise Cox, Margie (Steve) Mathews, Amy (Greg) Crouse. She is also preceded in death by a sister – Lola Joanne Merkt, and an honorary son in-law, Kim Gouker.
Visitation with the family is on Wednesday – July 19, from 4:00-7:00pm EST, at Swem Chapel in Buchanan. A Funeral and Celebration of Life Service will take place on Thursday – July 20, at 1:00pm CST, in Geneva, IL, at St. Mark’s Church – 320 Franklin Street, with Father Mark Tusken officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to help build a new playground in Jeanene’s name at Fuller’s to honor the joy Jeanene found in encouraging children (like her great granddaughter) and others to enjoy life with the same enthusiasm she did. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.swemchapel.com
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