Evelyn Caroline Olson Swickard

Evelyn Caroline Olson Swickard 98 of Knoxville, IL, died at 9:37 P.M., Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at the Knox County Nursing Home, Knoxville, IL. 

 

Evelyn was born on July 19, 1916 in Andover Township, Henry County, daughter of Swan Alfred and Esther Marie Peterson Olson.  She was educated in the Andover, IL and Cambridge, IL schools, graduating from Cambridge High School and Moline Business College.  She was secretary for the Knox County Farm Bureau in Galesburg, IL prior to her marriage to Philip Swickard.

 

She married Philip Swickard on June 18, 1944 in Cambridge, IL.  She and her husband farmed in Haw Creek Township near Gilson, IL until retirement in 1996 when they later moved to Knoxville, IL.  She was a homemaker. 

She was a member of the Knoxville First United Methodist Church, serving in various offices.  She was active in the Women’s Circles and the United Methodist Women.  She was a member of the Knoxville Women’s Club; a former member of the M.I. Study Club of Knoxville; G.T. Neighbors Club; a 50-year member of the Knoxville Chapter #880 Order of the Eastern Star; a life member of the Knox County Historical Sites; a 60-year member of the Knox County Farm Bureau (now Extension).  She served 18 years on the Haw Creek Township Election Board.  In early years, in Henry County, she was a 4-H Club member serving as a 4-H Club Leader, and President of the County 4-H Club Federation. 

 

Evelyn enjoyed reading, music, sports (a Cub fan), traveling, nature, gardening, farm life, her caregivers, her friends, and especially her family. 

 

Surviving are one brother-in-law, Rev. Dr. Willard Blomquist of Waukegan, IL, and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, six sisters and five brothers. 

 

Funeral services will be held 11 A.M. Monday, December 8, 2014 at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home in Knoxville, IL.  Rev. Dan Lybarger will officiate.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to services from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home.  Entombment will follow services at the Knoxville Cemetery Mausoleum.  Memorial donations may be made to the Knoxville United Methodist Church.  The Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home in Knoxville is assisting the family. Online condolences can be made at www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com