JANE THERESE SWANSON's Obituary
Jane Therese Swanson, 89, of Oshkosh, passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Saturday, December 1, 2018, at her home. Born November 12, 1929 in Marshfield, WI, she was the daughter of the late Adolf A. and Anna B. (Roechlein) Kleinheinz. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Vernon A. Swanson, her children, her sister Helen Heller, brothers Paul (Jo Ann) Kleinheinz and Frank (Sheila) Kleinheinz, and a score of nieces, nephews and their children. She is preceded in death by her sister, Mary A. Brown and brother John A. Kleinheinz.
Jane was so loved by her children, Paul (Jody) Swanson of Oshkosh, Mary Swanson and Bill Swanson of Milwaukee and Betsy (Erik) Magner of Fort Wayne, IN; and her grandchildren, Alexandra and Michael Swanson, and Anna, Laura and Stefan Magner.
Jane attended Mt. Mary College in Milwaukee and later worked at the Schlitz Brewery, in distributing. She was a participant of the famed, Schlitz Girls Singers. While in Milwaukee, she met the love of her life, Vern. Jane and Vern were married in Marshfield on May 2, 1953 and lived a life of travel and adventure, driving more than 2,500 miles to Acapulco, Mexico for their honeymoon. They initially settled in Milwaukee, but landed in Oshkosh where Vern came to practice law in 1963, raised their young family and made many friends. After Vern retired from the practice of law in 1987, they moved to the more temperate climate of Bella Vista, AR. They then spent the next 35 years wintering in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where they enjoyed life to the fullest with visits from many of Vern's old college fraternity brothers (SigEp), friends from all over the U.S., and especially delighted in the arrivals of their sons and daughters, grandchildren and relatives. There they lived La Dolce Vita, and continued the annual pilgrimage until last year (although they pretty well outlived the "crew").
Jane was an active member of Lawyers Wives, Newcomers Club and Antique Club, and was a Welcome Wagon Hostess. Jane and Vern loved a Friday night fish fry, playing bridge and holding cocktail parties. She particularly enjoyed the gatherings of her extended family around the holidays when all the Kleinheinz kids, their kids and family friends gathered over convivial feasts; organized chaos really, but with a definite Gemutlichkeit. Jane was an optimist, and had a positive outlook on life. She was always up for adventure, a new experience and gaining a story to tell about it. When Jane visited the casino, where she enjoyed penny slots, it was with excitement that she shared her penchant. Jane was a talented decorator and made her house a home for all to enjoy, and she made cooking an art. She perfected "Jane's Toffee Bars," which is the most requested dessert at all family events. She also was a talented sales woman, and enjoyed her career in retail sales at Marshall Field's, Maurices and Bee Frank. Jane doted on her husband, children, their spouses, but most of all her grandchildren. Jane and Vern were Lamplighters dancers, skiers, competitive tennis players and duffed around the golf course. They had ample opportunity to enjoy these avocations when they retired to Bella Vista Village. They returned home to Oshkosh after 26 years in the south to be closer to friends and family.
As a devout Catholic, Jane lived her life by Christ's example. At any idle moment, you would find Jane reading through her collection of prayer cards, praying the rosary or offering up her day. Perhaps her most rewarding life accomplishment, and evidence of her persistence, was when her husband, at the age of 90, converted to the Catholic faith. We all learned from her servant leadership and example of faith, and are sure that she is still looking over us from above, for we know she is in Heaven. So too, we know our lives will go on as she would want. We learned to persevere with a smile - from her.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, 830 S. Westhaven Dr., Oshkosh, on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 11:00 AM with the Rev. Matthew Rappl officiating. Inurnment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the church on Thursday from 9:30 AM until the hour of services.
Heartfelt thanks to Evergreen Manor, where Jane and Vern resided for six years; Dr. Curtis Radford, for his dedication to the Swanson's healthcare, and for being a good friend; and Dr. Bradley Heraly and the staff at Ascension Mercy Cancer Center for their talent, compassion and for the love and kindness they shared with Jane and the family during her brief illness.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jane's name to St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, Oshkosh
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