Violet Swanson

Violet E. Swanson, age 86, of York, NE, died Thursday, January 20, 2011 at York. She was born on January 23, 1924, in Gresham, NE, to William and Edith (Valentine) Marvel. Following graduation from Gresham High School, Violet taught school in the Sandhills, then worked in Lincoln for a short time. Violet was married to Harold L. Swanson in 1949. She returned to the Gresham community where she lived until moving to York in November 2010. She was active in church and community activities until her health declined.

Violet helped develop and implement the hot lunch program in the Gresham Public School and was the head cook for a number of years. She worked in the Gresham Post Office for 33 years, first as postal clerk, them a postmaster until her retirement.

Violet was a talented cake decorator and made many dozens of birthday, graduation, and wedding cakes for people in and around the Gresham community. She was a member of the Gresham Presbyterian Church, the Gresham Community Club, and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Violet is survived by her son Byron (Karen) Swanson of Stromsburg, NE; daughter Cheryl Hildenbrandt of Omaha, NE; four grandchildren, Christy (Jeff) Ingalls of Shelby, NE, Heather (Tony) Murray of Kearney, NE; Deric (Lindsey) Swanson of York, and Jeffrey (Angela) Hildenbrandt of Omaha. Also surviving are six great-grandchildren, Brenna, Megan, and Garrett Ingalls, Madeline and Ella Murray, and Jeffrey Hildenbrandt II. Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; brother Lee; and her sister Darlene Mickey.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 24, 2011 at the United Presbyterian Church in Gresham, NE with the Reverend Noel DeKalb officiating. Burial followed in Gresham’s Cedar Lawn Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.