Betty J Swanson

Betty J. Swanson, 87, of Rockford, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 15, 2017 with her loved ones at her side. She was born in Belvidere, Illinois on November 28, 1929; daughter of William and Sylvia (Ferguson) Blake. She married her loving husband, Wayne L. Swanson on June 12, 1949 in Belvidere. They spent 51 beautiful years together before his passing in 2000. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Lover of music, dancing, games, shopping, animals, holidays, her family and anything chocolate. Betty was a very passionate person. She did everything to the extreme. She loved to the fullest and fought the hardest for what she believed was right. Christmas at her house was one like no one can imagine. The dining room was a city of the Dickens Village houses she loved to collect. For us, it was the norm because that is how Gram did things. The entire living room was full of gifts, the kitchen full of food, and the house full of chatter and laughter.

She is survived by her children, Pamela VanAken, Steven (JoAnn) Swanson, Stuart (Ruth) Swanson; grandkids, Eric (Michelle) VanAken, Melissa (Shawn) Hughes, Kristina VanAken, Michael (Laura) VanAken, Lauren (Krista) Koehl-Swanson, Amy (Peter) Swanson-Bove, Josh Swanson, Jesse Swanson; great grandkids, Nicholas and Natalya VanAken, Christian, Alex, and Amelia Escamilla, Joey and Kaylie VanAken, Garret Hughes.

Betty is predeceased by her husband, Wayne L. Swanson; son, Randy L. Swanson; her parents; siblings, Richard Blake, Merle Blake, and Maxine Malmassari.
The Swanson Family would like to thank Betty’s caregivers and friends at Wesley Willows and Cor Mariae for their loving kindness over the years.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, September 19, 2017; at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL, 61108; with visitation from 11:00 am until time of service. Burial at Charter Oak Cemetery in Kirkland. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be given to: Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, 111 N. 1st. St., Rockford, IL or to the Swedish American Foundation, 1401 E. State St., Rockford, IL, 61104. Share condolences online at www.fitzgeraldfh.com